Sergeant regrets killing superiors - Army spokesman
MARK MERUEÑAS, GMANews.TV
03/04/2009 | 11:45 AM
MANILA, Philippines - The Army sergeant who went on a shooting spree and killed three of his superiors inside their barracks at Fort Bonifacio last week finally made contact with his family to express regret over the incident, an Army official said Wednesday.
Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr said Sergeant Elias Tial sent a text message to his family in Iloilo province, telling them he was sorry for what happened last February 26 when he attacked his commanding officer, executive officer, team leader and a First Sergeant using an M16 rifle.
Killed in the incident were 1Lt. Gerald Fuentes, Capt. Dionico Aragon Jr. and MSgt. Eliseo de la Cruz. The lone survivor of the assault was Captain Benito Ramos Jr, who received treatment at the Makati Medical Center.
"May balita na kami na nag-text siya sa wife niya na nagsasabing he regrets what he did [We have received information that he texted her wife to tell he regrets what happened last week]," Brawner told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.
Brawner said that the Army has yet to confirm rumors swirling that Tial had also expressed willingness to turn himself over to authorities.
"May balita din kami na naririnig about a surrender feeler but hindi pa namin ma-confirm. Until now, wala pang nakakarating sa amin [We’ve heard about her supposed surrender feelers. But we have not received any yet]," Brawner said.
He said that their forces continue to track down Tial, closely following the string of leads that they had been receiving in the last few days. "Pero so far lahat ng leads na sinusundan namin ay negative [But all leads turned out negative]."
Brawner said they had already requested Tial’s family to "convince him to surrender if ever he tries contacting them again."
Prior to the shooting spree, Tial had apparently been asking permission from his superiors to attend the burial of his father who died two Saturdays ago, on February 21, in Iloilo’s Tigba-aun town.
On that fateful night, Tial’s commanding officer reportedly advised Tial to file for a leave of absence. Only last month, Tial was allowed to attend the burial of his uncle in Iloilo.
The remains of one of the victims – Fuentes – had already been flown back to his home province of Negros Occidental over the weekend.
Fuentes served in the Philippine Army for seven years, and was among the junior military officers assigned at the Special Forces Regiment. - GMANews.TV
Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr said Sergeant Elias Tial sent a text message to his family in Iloilo province, telling them he was sorry for what happened last February 26 when he attacked his commanding officer, executive officer, team leader and a First Sergeant using an M16 rifle.
Killed in the incident were 1Lt. Gerald Fuentes, Capt. Dionico Aragon Jr. and MSgt. Eliseo de la Cruz. The lone survivor of the assault was Captain Benito Ramos Jr, who received treatment at the Makati Medical Center.
"May balita na kami na nag-text siya sa wife niya na nagsasabing he regrets what he did [We have received information that he texted her wife to tell he regrets what happened last week]," Brawner told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.
Brawner said that the Army has yet to confirm rumors swirling that Tial had also expressed willingness to turn himself over to authorities.
"May balita din kami na naririnig about a surrender feeler but hindi pa namin ma-confirm. Until now, wala pang nakakarating sa amin [We’ve heard about her supposed surrender feelers. But we have not received any yet]," Brawner said.
He said that their forces continue to track down Tial, closely following the string of leads that they had been receiving in the last few days. "Pero so far lahat ng leads na sinusundan namin ay negative [But all leads turned out negative]."
Brawner said they had already requested Tial’s family to "convince him to surrender if ever he tries contacting them again."
Prior to the shooting spree, Tial had apparently been asking permission from his superiors to attend the burial of his father who died two Saturdays ago, on February 21, in Iloilo’s Tigba-aun town.
On that fateful night, Tial’s commanding officer reportedly advised Tial to file for a leave of absence. Only last month, Tial was allowed to attend the burial of his uncle in Iloilo.
The remains of one of the victims – Fuentes – had already been flown back to his home province of Negros Occidental over the weekend.
Fuentes served in the Philippine Army for seven years, and was among the junior military officers assigned at the Special Forces Regiment. - GMANews.TV
