7 soldiers charged for shooting cop, 2 watchmen

MANILA, Philippines - Seven Army men were charged yesterday over an alleged shooting rampage that resulted in the death of a policeman and a village watchman in Quezon City Sunday.

The seven suspects were charged with murder and frustrated murder before the city prosecutor’s office yesterday afternoon, said Chief Inspector Benjamin Elenzano, head of the Quezon City Police District homicide investigation section.

The seven Army men are Staff Sergeant Elgar Aclan, Corporal Eugene Villaver, and Privates First Class Rafael Lantano, Delfin Viajedor, Rannie Bartolay, Ariel Molina and Roberto Chiong.

Police Officer 3 Wilfredo Macatangay and village watchman Alex Bersamin died and watchman Reynaldo Ybañez was wounded in the shooting that happened at past midnight outside the health center in Barangay Pasong Tamo.

The shooting reportedly stemmed from an argument that happened after Chiong, who was reportedly drunk, confronted Ybañez and ordered him to stop the operation of a carnival (perya) in the area.

Ybanez told the soldier that the carnival had a permit from village authorities. Chiong was reportedly irked, drew his handgun and shot Ybañez in the left thigh.

Ybañez managed to run towards his wife and tell her to ask help from fellow watchmen from Barangay Holy Spirit.

The village watchmen then traced Chiong to the village hall in Barangay Pasong Tamo. However after alighting from the patrol car, Macatangay and Bersamin were allegedly met by gunshots from the suspect, killing them on the spot.

PO1 Hermogenes Capili said while the suspects claimed the watchmen were chasing Chiong, some of the Army men used long firearms, indicating that they had “superior strength over the victims.” – Reinir Padua