LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – A drunk Army sergeant shot dead his colleague during a heated argument in Sorsogon City Thursday, July 28.
Police identified the victim as Sgt. Jimmy Cardel Banania, 37, a resident of this city.
Initial police investigation showed that the suspect, Sgt. Ranly Arevalo Datu, 44, of Manito, Albay, went to look for duty guard Corporal Michael Lazarte Lirio in his barracks.
Banania was in the barracks and told the suspect, who was drunk, that Lirio was not around.
A heated argument erupted between Datu and Banania. Police said that the suspect told the victim in Bicolano: “Kamo mga mauragon na kamo (You guys are righteous).”
The victim asked the suspect what he has done wrong. Datu stepped back and shot Banania with his government-issued firearm.
Banania sustained a bullet wound in the upper left chest and was taken to the hospital by other soldiers but was declared dead on arrival.
Datu and Banania are assigned at 93rd CMO Company in Sitio Mahingan, Barangay Balogo, East District, Sorsogon City.
Suspect is under the custody of the 93rd CMO Company while investigation is still ongoing.