CEBU, Philippines - Two former Philippine Air Force officers have been accused of stealing an active PAF officer's gun and of slitting his neck inside Mactan-Ebuen Benito Air Base on Wednesday dawn.
Airman Second Class Diosdado Caballes was manning his post as guard at the ammunition dam inside the air base around 2 a.m. when he was allegedly attacked by two assailants later on identified as Noel Hassan and Marlon Nadasiray.
Hassan and Nadasiray previously worked for PAF with the position of a sergeant and airman first class, respectively.
According to Police Officer 3 Lydo Pinos of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, the suspects arrived at the area on motorbike.
A verbal fight then allegedly ensued between the suspects and the victim leading to the slitting of Caballes' neck.
The reason for the verbal tussle was not immediately available but the suspects reportedly used a sharp weapon in slitting the victim's neck before immediately fleeing.
Suspects have been also accused of stealing Caballes' M-16 rifle and magazine bandolier.
Caballes was brought to Central Command Hospital in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City for further medical treatment.
Upon learning of this incident, Police Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, officer-in-charge of LCPO, launched a hot pursuit operation for the possible arrest of the suspects.
The Special Weapon and Tactics Unit and the camp of PAF are also targeting the two suspects who still remained at large as of press time yesterday.
Checkpoints are conducted in different areas in Lapu-Lapu City and other possible places that the suspects might hide are being monitored, according to Radoc.
"Dili ni sila angay kumpyansaan kay nadala ang armalite sa gwardya," Radoc said after knowing that an issued service firearm was stolen from the attending tower guard.
Nadasiray and Hassan were reported to be administratively discharged from service last October due to their involvement in illegal drugs. (FREEMAN)