A soldier went berserk and opened fire at his colleagues at the 4th Infantry Division headquarters in this city yesterday, leaving five persons, including the gunman, dead.
The headquarters of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. (PNA file photo) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - A soldier ran amok and shot four of his fellow soldiers dead inside the 4th Infantry Division headquarters in Barangay Patag here early Saturday. Police identified the fatalities as Private Joseph Tamayo, Patrolman First Class Prince Kevin Balaba, Sgt. Rogelio Rojo, Cpl. Bernardo Rodrigo, as well as the suspected shooter, Private Johmar Villabito. Another soldier identified as Staff Sgt. Braulio Macalos Jr. was also wounded in the shooting but is now out of danger. Initial reports said Villabito "shot the victims without any apparent and justifiable reason using an M16". The incident happened at around 1:10 a.m. when the victims were asleep inside their barracks at the Service Support Battalion (SSBN) unit. A certain Pvt. Mark Anthony Aguined and Pfc Joseph Estrada engaged the suspect and shot him dead, said Maj. Francisco Garello Jr., 4ID