PAF man arrested for killing neighbor

Operatives of the Pasay City police arrested yesterday a member of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) after he shot and killed a neighbor, whom he accused of meddling in his marital problems.

The victim, identified as Leonard Pacariel, 21, a waiter and resident of Block 70 Lot 21, 17th Street, Villamor Air Base in Pasay, died from a lone gunshot wound in the chest.

The suspect, Airman First Class Joseph Cornel, 29, of the PAF’s 950th Communication Electronic Information System Group (CEISG),  was nabbed shortly after the incident.

Reports said the incident happened at around 2 a.m. after the suspect and his wife Liezel had a verbal altercation.

The victim had tried to pacify the couple, but eventually gave up and went home.

Thirty minutes later, the suspect, armed with a handgun, barged into the victim’s house and shot the victim at point blank range. The suspect fled after the incident.

Pacariel was rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital.

Police were able to locate Cornel at the 521st Air Police Squadron office, located inside Villamor Air Base.

After two hours of negotiations, the suspect peacefully gave up and surrendered his firearm, a caliber .45 pistol.

Pasay City Police chief, Senior Superintendent Rosendo Franco said the suspect would be charged with homicide.