BACOLOD CITY – A soldier, his girlfriend, and her father were injured in a melee in Barangay Handumanan here on Thursday, January 4.

Police identified the victims as Corporal Jasper Gancia, 34, from Barangay Bata here; his girlfriend Merryll Tuvilla, 24, and Tuvilla’s father Teodoro, 71, both residents of Barangay Handumanan.

A POLICE investigator interviews Corporal Jasper Gancia who was wounded in a commotion in Barangay Handumanan, Bacolod City on Thursday, January 4. (Photo courtesy of Police Station 10) 

Police Capt. Lelanie Lagoting, head of Police Station 10, said Teodoro stepped out of his birthday party in his house to buy cigarettes.

However, he figured in a heated argument with three bystanders in the area when he did not like how they answered his question where he could buy cigarettes.

Gancia, who was on leave from his post in Marawi City, pacified them until they figured in a commotion.

The bystanders and the soldier grappled with the trooper’s service firearm which resulted in a series of gunshots.

Gancia sustained two bullet  wounds and his girlfriend and Teodoro were wounded from a sharp object from the window of the Tuvilla house which was damaged during the commotion.

Police recovered from the crime scene 11 fired cartridges and a live ammunition from an unknown firearm.

Lagoting said Gancia’s uncle turned over his .45 M911 service firearm with a magazine with 10 bullets.

Gancia is recovering in a private hospital here while the Tuvillas have been discharged.

Lagoting said the recovered cartridges and bullet were subjected to ballistic examination, including the soldier’s service firearm, to determine if these came from Gancia’s gun or if another weapon was used in the incident.

She said that a paraffin test will be conducted to determine if Gancia was able to shoot.