Army officer killed in scuffle with colleague
10/28/2008 | 08:39 PM
MANILA, Philippines - A young Army lieutenant was killed while another one was wounded Sunday in a scuffle with fellow soldiers in Placer town, Surigao del Norte, reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City said.
Killed in the incident was 2Lt. Albert Amat, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 2006, while the injured soldier was identified as 2Lt. Joe Patrick Martinez, who just graduated from the same academy last March.
The report said the incident started at about 9 p.m. last Sunday at the headquarters of the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion located at Sta. Cruz village when Amat punched T/Sgt. Neptael Maglangit, who was reportedly drunk. As Maglangit recovered, Amat drew a pistol, leading to a scuffle for the firearm.
“During the scuffle, around 20 30th IB personnel who have not yet been identified, simultaneously fired shots in the air… while shouting ‘Hoo, di tama yan’ (That’s not right) and other vindictives," the report said.
Amat and Martinez were rushed to the Miranda Medical Hospital in Surigao City, but Amat was pronounced dead on arrival.
Maglangit, meanwhile, went to Placer police station on board his motorcycle and surrendered himself for an investigation.
Major Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman for the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said they are already investigating the incident following reports that Amat and Maglangit had a long standing feud.
“Eastmincom has ordered a probe on the incident. Immediately after the incident, we ordered an investigation and a inspector general team from the 4th Infantry Division is already there since yesterday (Monday)," Cabangbang said.
Cabangbang said that apart from Maglangit, other soldiers are being investigated for the incident, and that their firearms will be subjected to ballistic examination. - GMANews.TV
Killed in the incident was 2Lt. Albert Amat, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 2006, while the injured soldier was identified as 2Lt. Joe Patrick Martinez, who just graduated from the same academy last March.
The report said the incident started at about 9 p.m. last Sunday at the headquarters of the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion located at Sta. Cruz village when Amat punched T/Sgt. Neptael Maglangit, who was reportedly drunk. As Maglangit recovered, Amat drew a pistol, leading to a scuffle for the firearm.
“During the scuffle, around 20 30th IB personnel who have not yet been identified, simultaneously fired shots in the air… while shouting ‘Hoo, di tama yan’ (That’s not right) and other vindictives," the report said.
Amat and Martinez were rushed to the Miranda Medical Hospital in Surigao City, but Amat was pronounced dead on arrival.
Maglangit, meanwhile, went to Placer police station on board his motorcycle and surrendered himself for an investigation.
Major Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman for the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said they are already investigating the incident following reports that Amat and Maglangit had a long standing feud.
“Eastmincom has ordered a probe on the incident. Immediately after the incident, we ordered an investigation and a inspector general team from the 4th Infantry Division is already there since yesterday (Monday)," Cabangbang said.
Cabangbang said that apart from Maglangit, other soldiers are being investigated for the incident, and that their firearms will be subjected to ballistic examination. - GMANews.TV
