PAF man killed, Mayor's aide hurt in gun duel

BATANGAS, Philippines – An Air Force soldier was killed while a bodyguard of a Cavite town mayor was wounded when they figured in a shootout in Nasugbu town early yesterday morning, police said.

PO2 Ramon Sale, Nasugbu police investigator, identified the fatality as Airman 2nd Class Joemon Articulo, 25, a member of the 733rd Combat Squadron of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Wounded in the gun duel was Allan Ernie, 34, a security aide of Trece Martires Mayor Melandres de Sagun.

Police said Articulo, together with A1C Van Rigell Perez and A2C Lord Ryan Reyes, was about to buy hamburger in a burger stall along Malasugue Street in Barangay Wawa, Nasugbu town when the incident occurred at around 12:10 a.m.

Investigation showed that the PAF soldiers confronted Ernie and a certain Junior when the latter allegedly kicked the airmen’s pet dog.

Police said Ernie subsequently pulled out his service firearm and as the airmen walked away, shot Articulo, hitting the soldier in the chest and killing him instantly.

One of Articulo’s companions retaliated and shot Ernie before retreating to their barracks in Barangay Calo and reporting the incident to their superiors.

Ernie was rushed to the Madonna Hospital. Charges were filed against him.

Police learned that Ernie and Junior were sent to Nasugbu to provide security to a relative of De Sagun who was receiving death threats. – With Ed Amoroso