“Depressed” soldier commits “suicide”

ILOILO CITY, Philippines - A 51-year-old soldier of the Philippine Army, who was allegedly battling depression, died after he reportedly shot himself at the maintenance bay of the 6th Forward Support Service Unit at Veterans Village in this city Saturday morning.

Staff Sergeant Bernardino Divino reportedly took an M16 rifle and shot himself on the head, just in time when members of the 12th Infantry Battalion arrived at the FSSU from Aklan.

Chief Inspector Alexander Rosales, Police Station 1 chief, said investigation is going on to rule suicide on Divino's death although he said it was still possible that it was a case of accidental firing.

Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Santiago, 6-FSSU commander, said the unit is conducting its own investigation and would wait for the result of the scene-of-the-crime operations' probe before making any further conclusion.

According to sources, however, Divino was showing signs of depression after he got demoted and due to his problem with his wife and a paramour.

One source claimed his wife threatened to file a case for his dismissal after learning of his continued alliance with his lover from Pototan, Iloilo.

Another source claimed that it was his lover, who was also married and has children, who threatened to harm his legal family if he would cut their relationship off.

Divino's demotion came after he was found guilty of driving while under the influence of liquor when he transported relief goods for victims of typhoon Yolanda.