Govt militiaman runs amok, kills 6 in Zambo Sibugay

(Updated 3 p.m.) A government militiaman in Zamboanga Sibugay in southern Philippines went on a shooting rampage on Sunday evening, killing six of his colleagues, a military official said on Monday. Olegario Vocal Jr. (earlier identified as Olegario Bua) was also killed by a police-military team that pursued him, according to Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustestica, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division. Lustestica said Vocal went berserk around 7 p.m. Sunday at the Palid detachment using his issued M14 rifle. Killed in the incident were Narciso Rudas, Nilo Rudas, Ike Hario, Edgar Sibelo, and Salvador Belono. A sixth victim, Elmer Taberos, was killed when Vocal fired at the pursuing troops when they caught up with him at around 6 a.m. Monday some 600 meters from the detachment. “Pursuing elements were forced to fire back, thereby fatally hitting suspect," said Lustestica. Lustestica said an investigation is underway to determine what caused the incident, as well as to “render justice and avoid its recurrence." Initial investigation showed that the suspect was with his father, who was also a civilian volunteer, in the detachment when he ran amuck. Vocal reportedly shot his father twice but missed. Lustestica also said they have received reports that Vocal’s brother, who was not a militiaman, is suffering from "mental illness." - KBK, GMANews.TV