Army sarge charged with murder for fatal shooting of village chair in Leyte
TACLOBAN CITY – Murder charges have been filed against a soldier for allegedly killing a barangay captain in Javier, Leyte on Aug. 22.
Police filed the case against Army Sgt. Alexandro Barcoma Calda, 33, assigned to the 63rd Infantry Battalion based in Barangay Guirang, Basey, Samar, before the Leyte Assistant Prosecutor’s Office in Abuyog, Leyte.
Calda shot dead Barangay Chairman Joel Rinos in Barangay Caranhug and police said he was initially arrested in Tacloban City on Aug. 29 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The suspect was spotted by police assets who informed lawmen in Javier based on his outfit and description of the motorcycle.
Calda was wearing the same clothes and using the same motorcycle based on the closed-circuit television camera footage and the testimonies of witnesses when he was arrested.
Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Police Regional Office-8 director, lauded the immediate resolution of the case.
“We appreciate the help of our eyes in the barangay and the public in general. Indeed, your cooperation with the law enforcement sector plays a big role in locating criminals and violators in return justice is served especially to their victims.”