By Francis Wakefield
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured that the full force of the law will be implemented against Army personnel who committed indiscriminate firing to welcome the new year.
AFP spokesman Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo made the assurance after police operatives of the Taguig City Police Station arrested retired Army S/Sgt. Jamael Mindalano and Army Corporal Richard John Quijano, assigned at the Light Reaction Coy, Light Reaction Regiment, Special Operations Command, Presidential Security Group (PSG) Compound, for indiscriminate firing, alarm and sandal, illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions, physical injury, direct assault, resisting arrest and serious disobedience.
Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Mark Balmores | Manila Bulletin)
Recovered from them were two units of caliber 45 pistol, one unit 9mm pistol, one unit 38 revolver and assorted ammunitions.
Mindalano and Quijano were reported to have committed the said crimes by victim, Jolly Moreno, a neighbor of the suspects, who was slightly hit in the body, specifically on the right mid section by a ricochet bullet shrapnel while welcoming the new year.
"The police are now investigating the incident. If proven guilty, they (erring Army personnel) will be punished accordingly," Arevalo said.
"The AFP has strict regulations against illegal discharge of firearms and other infractions of the Articles of War. As we have established in the past, the AFP does not condone nor tolerate any misdemeanor of military personnel," he added.
For his part, Army spokesman Lt. Col. Rey Tiongson said that while the Philippine Army has no jurisdiction over the retired personnel (Mindalano), Quijano may face criminal charges, dishonorable separation from the service and forfeiture of all his privileges and retirement benefits if found guilty.
"The police are now investigating the incident. Corporal Richard John Quijano is an active member of the Philippine Army while Staff Sergeant Jamael Mindalano has already retired from the military service since December 31, 2016," Tiongson said.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Director Oscar D. Albayalde, earlier assured the public that the suspects involved in the new year's indiscriminate firing will be thoroughly and speedily investigated.
"They must be liable to the law and to the victim. They must face the consequences and corresponding sanctions," Albayalde said.