5 soldiers slain at Basilan camp, assailant shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - An Army integree ran amuck during  Bible study at their headquarters in Sumisip, Basilan yesterday morning, killing five other soldiers.

The assailant, Cpl. Tahiruddin Taha, 37, of the Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion, was also shot dead in the incident that occurred at about 8:45 a.m. at their headquarters in Barangay Upper Cabengbeng, according to Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao.

Taha, an Army integree from the Moro National Liberation Front, shot the victims dead with an M16 rifle before he, too, was shot and killed by responding soldiers.

The motive for his rampage is being determined.

The fatalities were identified as 1/Lt. Camlon Martin Puao, 2/Lt. Alvin Ebina, Cpl. Robert Jondayran, Pfc. Jessrell Calud and  S/Sgt. Jonathan Galicto.

Eight soldiers – 1/Lt. Pada Guingar,  Sgt. Anthony Bentoy and Pfcs. Elber Nobe, Ruel Macalapay, Nelson Calambro, Junnel Cajote and Remie Espanola – and a civilian, pastor  Rolly Matson, were wounded in the attack.

The victims were participating in a Bible study led by Matson at the multipurpose hall when Taha shot at them.

Taha, who had just reported for duty after a 15-day vacation, approached the duty guard manning the outpost and volunteered to take his place.

“The guard refused, as it was not yet his time to man the outpost,” Hao said.

Taha, a mortar man of the Bravo Company, told the guard that he would just do his laundry instead and walked toward the barracks.

A few minutes later, Taha returned armed with an M16 rifle and went to the multipurpose hall located in the middle of the camp.