3 CAFGU members nabbed for killing Army soldier in Rizal
A 35-year-old Philippine Army assistant detachment commander was shot dead by three members of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary at Patrol Base Macaingalan in Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal, on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The Rodriguez Municipal Police Station (Rodriguez MPS) said the victim is an active member of the 80th Infantry Battalion, 21st Division, Philippine Army.
The incident occurred at around 8:37 p.m. while the victim, identified as “Mark,” and two other witnesses were having a meeting inside the kitchen.
At that moment, authorities said the suspect, identified as “Prince,” suddenly appeared armed with an M16 rifle and pointed it at the victim and witnesses.
The victim immediately intervened in an attempt to pacify him. However, the suspect allegedly loaded his firearm and shot the victim several times until he exhausted his ammunition.
During the incident, the two other suspects, identified as “Jorald” and “Samuel,” reportedly fired their firearms inside their shanty while angrily shouting, “ASSCOM TARA MAGBARILAN NA TAYO (Assistant commander, let us exchange gunfire).”
The suspects were reportedly drunk.
Authorities said the motive may have stemmed from the suspect’s resentment toward the victim, who had allegedly reprimanded and disciplined him on several occasions due to drinking incidents.
Meanwhile, Prince claimed that the victim was also drunk when he approached them, as he allegedly wanted them to tell him about their drinking. He added that it was not intentional and that he regrets it.
The suspects are now under the custody of the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station. Prince will face charges for violation of Article 248 (Murder), while the others will face charges for illegal discharge of firearms.