Soldier, cousin hunted for slays

A boisterous drinking session ended in tragedy when an Army corporal and his cousin shot dead three civilian volunteers in Tanay, Rizal last Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Freddie Panen, Rizal police director, ordered a massive manhunt for the suspects, Cpl. Roberto Laureano, of Alpha Company of the Army’s 59th Infantry Brigade, and his cousin, Rolan Laureano.

Panen said the Laureano was happily engaged in a drinking spree with Erwin Malong and Redyel Labicane, both members of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), at a sari-sari store owned by barangay councilor Rogelio Camacho at about 4:30 p.m. last Thursday, when the incident happened.

Laureano, Malong and Labicane were all assigned at the Army detachment in Barangay Sampaloc.

After consuming several bottles of liquor, the four left the store, witnesses said. A few minutes later, successive shots rang out.

Police said another CAFGU member, Alberto Palma, 22, joined Malong and Labicane and was also shot dead by Laureano.

Palma’s superior, 1Lt. Ronnie Torcelina, surrendered the fatal weapon, a 9-mm automatic pistol, with an empty magazine, to the police.