Soldier faces murder raps

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 2): Soldier faces murder raps

Avoid arguments when drunk, especially when also in possession of firearms.

This lesson could be gleaned from the shooting incident Sunday at a resort in Brgy. Magsaysay in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, where an Army soldier shot and killed his colleague, as a result of misunderstanding.

Supt. Edel Jose Manzano, Cadiz City police chief, yesterday said that the suspect identified as Sgt. Aproniano Dominguez and the victim, PFC Rusky Balgona, were apparently under the influence of liquor, when the incident took place.

Dominguez, who is now in jail, faces murder charges for the death of Balgona, who, ironically, turned out to be his squad mate at the Alpha Company of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, Manzano said.

Balgona, 30, was declared dead on arrival at the Cadiz District Hospital. He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

Manzano said the misunderstanding between Dominguez and Balgona had already been patched up, through the intervention of their colleagues.

But Dominguez, who later boarded their service vehicle, managed to got hold of the M-16 assault rifle of one of their security escorts, and shot Balgona in the back, he added.

PFC Arjoe Gabia, who tried to pacify and disarm Dominguez, was also shot in the right palm, Manzano said. Dominguez was later subdued by his colleagues.

Cadiz policemen, who responded to the incident, recovered the M-16 rifle used in the shooting of Balgona, as well as its 15 empty cartridges and five live ammunition.

Lt. Col. Darryl Banez, 62IB commander, said that while he was saddened by the incident, it was an isolated one.

Dominguez was subjected yesterday to drug testing at the PNP Crime Laboratory in Bacolod City.

The filing of murder charges against Dominguez was not pushed through yesterday, as the death certificate, result of post-mortem examinations had not been completed yet.
But Manzano said they are expecting to file it today, as the deadline for the reglamentary period of detention of Dominguez will lapse at 12 noon today.

Members of the 62IB Alpha Company were having a team building activity, at the same time, marking the birthday of one of their military officers at the Little Jungle Resort in Brgy Magsaysay, Cadiz City, when the unfortunate incident took place.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/August/02/topstory5.htm