Catbalogan city: The 8th Infantry Division (8ID) of the Philippine Army has assured full cooperation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the investigation of a shooting incident involving one of its personnel.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 8ID confirmed that the Army personnel is now under PNP custody as authorities continue their investigation. "The 8ID does not tolerate criminal acts committed by its personnel," the division stated. It will fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities and also conduct its own internal inquiry to determine accountability and impose appropriate sanctions in accordance with the Articles of War and military regulations.
The division emphasized its commitment to upholding discipline, integrity, and accountability within its ranks. "We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that justice is served and that the trust and confidence of the people in the Armed Forces of the Philippines are preserved," it said.
The 8ID issued the statement after a 31-year-old soldier was arrested for allegedly opening fire during an altercation that left two bystanders injured in Catbalogan City, Samar, on Tuesday night. Reports from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 8 (Eastern Visayas) said that the incident occurred along the Diversion Road in Purok 1, Barangay 13 in Catbalogan at about 6 p.m. The suspect, identified only as alias Tep, a resident of Motiong, Samar, reportedly arrived at the area on a motorcycle while allegedly under the influence of liquor.
Police identified the intended target as a 26-year-old construction worker, alias Jim, who escaped unharmed. Two other residents, a 19-year-old construction worker named alias Ray, and a 58-year-old laborer, alias Rod, sustained gunshot wounds after they were reportedly hit by stray bullets.
Investigation showed that the altercation started after Jim allegedly asked the suspect to properly park his motorcycle. The suspect reportedly became irate, drew a firearm, and fired three shots toward the victim, but missed, according to PRO-8. Police said Jim fought back by punching the suspect, causing him to fall. As the suspect fled, he allegedly fired two more shots toward the same victim but again failed to hit him.
Authorities said the suspect's indiscriminate firing resulted in two bystanders being hit by stray bullets. Both injured victims were immediately rushed to the Samar Provincial Hospital for medical treatment. Responding personnel from the Catbalogan City Police, together with the Regional Scene of the Crime Operatives Unit 8 and the Police Intelligence Unit of the Samar Police, took the suspect into custody after he was turned over by residents.
