2 Marines in trouble over shooting spree, grenade blast

Two members of the Philippine Marines landed themselves in hot water yesterday.

The Taguig City police arrested Pfc. Saturnino Viscara, 27, for engaging in a shooting spree using a .45 caliber revolver following a drinking session with a friend, Allan Agpao, near Agpao’s house in Samabakai, Pasay City at around 2 a.m. No one was reported hurt in the incident.

Viscara is assigned to the Marines’ 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. He will be charged with illegal discharge of firearms, and alarm and scandal.

Meanwhile, Marine Sgt. Harp Cabaluna is now behind bars after a smoke grenade accidentally exploded inside his rented unit at the Globe Tower condominium in Mandaluyong City yesterday afternoon.

Firemen and policemen who responded to the blast found four long firearms and bomb components in Cabaluna’s unit. “One of the long firearms had a license but the three others were unlicensed,” Mandaluyong City police chief Senior Superintendent Carlos de Sagun told The Star.

De Sagun said that the blast from the smoke grenade almost caused a fire, but the smoke detectors activated the water sprinkler system in Cabaluna’s unit, averting a fire but drenching the contents of the unit.

Cabaluna, who was reportedly inside the unit during the explosion, told police that it was an accident. De Sagun said Cabaluna will be charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

The building’s officials, he said, can file their own complaint against Cabaluna for the accidental grenade blast.  – Rhodina Villanueva, Rainier Allan Ronda