Five soldiers were killed and one was wounded after a soldier opened fire inside the Headquarters of 4th Infantry Division past midnight February 11, 2023 at Camp Evangelista in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. The suspect was also killed by responding soldiers. Authorities are investigating as to the cause of the shooting incident. Watch this interview below of 4ID spokesman Maj. Francisco Garello Jr.
Read the official press release below:
PRESS RELEASE No. 2023-0211-009
SHOOTING INCIDENT INSIDE MILITARY CAMP
Cagayan de Oro City Police Office – A shooting incident involving uniformed personnel of Philippine Army (4ID) of which resulted to the untimely death of Five (5) men in uniform. The incident happened early dawn of February 11, 2023, at 1:57AM at Camp Evangelista, 4ID SSBN Compound, Patag, Cagayan De Oro City.
PCOL AARON M MANDIA, City Director stressed out that upon arrival at the crime scene there were Five (5) members of AFP SSBN lying on the floor with no sign of life.
Soco Team 10 led by PLTCOL CABALLES process the crime scene.
The victims identified as CPL BERNARD A. RODRIGO 31 years old, married a resident of Tagpangi, CDOC, PVT JOSEPH A. TAMAYO 38 years old, married, a resident Purok- 8 Pungto Alegria, SDS, SGT ROGELIO O. ROJO JR. 29 years old, married a resident Taliran, Rebokon Dumalinao, ZDS, PFC PRINCE KEVIN C. BALABA, who were found dead with gun shot wound.
SSG BRAULIO E. MACALOS JR. 43 years old, married, a resident Zone- 13 Assumption Village, Patag, CDOC, was immediately evacuated to Polymedic Plaza Hospital for medical treatment.
On the account of the witnesses a certain PVT JOHMAR A. VILLABITO 35 years old, married, a resident of Pob. Libugan North Cotabato, without any apparent and justifiable reason shot all the victims using his issued M16 rifle which resulted to their untimely death.
One PVT MARK ANTHONY B. AGINED 27 years old, single, a resident Tandag City Surigao Del Sur and PFC JOSIAH M. ESTRADA 31 years old, married a resident Lumbo Alubijid Mis. Or., heard and saw the incident. The duo immediately use reasonable force to subdue the suspect, but the suspect aggresively fired toward them but they avoided by grappling and wrestling the suspect, and while on the process PVT MARK ANTHONY B. AGINED had seen an opportunity he shot the suspect purposely to cripple the same but the suspect is determine enough to kill them, thus he fired and neutralized the same in a manner of self-defense and defense of other person.
Both witness/victim incurred injury during the incident.
The cadavers are now temporarily lies at St. Peter Funeral Homes.
Recovered from the crime scene were the ff: One (1) unit of M16 rifle with SN: 2182558, with One (1) magazine of M16, One (1) unit of Glock 17 9mm with SN: AFP071200 issued firearm of the suspect, One (1) unit of Glock 17 of 9MM with SN: AFP071196 with One (1) pc magazine of 9mm, issued short firearm of PVT MARK ANTHONY B. AGINED, 18 pcs of Fired cartridges of M16, Two (2) pcs cartridges of M16, Five (5) pcs fired cartridges of of 9MM, One (1) pc cartridges of 9mm, and One (1) pc fired bullet of 9mm, all recovered items are in the custody of RCLO-10 for forensic/ ballistics examination.
This office recommends that all cadavers will be examined by a medico legal.
PCOL AARON M MANDIA, City Director, expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and for the untimely demise of these men in uniform.
“COCPO will closely working with the Philippine Army (4ID) as to the
conduct of follow up investigation to determine the real cause of the incident. Likewise, in order to give clarity to the public the real motive of suspect that brought him such action of an extreme violence towards his colleagues” added, PCOL Mandia.
SOURCE: PIO COCPO
