A soldier opened fire at his companions while they were sleeping inside one of the barracks in the Army 4th Infantry Division in Barangay Patag this city Tuesday morning.
Maj. Francisco Garillo Jr., army spokesperson said four soldiers and one were wounded before the suspect was overpowered and killed by his companions.
Major Gen. Wilbur Mamawag immediately set up an inquiry team to investigate what lead Army Private Johmar Villabito to shoot his colleagues in the barracks of the division’s service battalion in Camp Evangelista here.
Garillo narrated that at around 1:10 am, Villabito allegedly entered the barracks and shot at his companions using his government-issued M16 rifle.
He said Sgt. Rogelio Rojo, Cpl. Bernard Rodrigo; Pfc. Prince Kevin Balaba; and Private Joseph Tamayo were killed immediately.
A fifth soldier, SSgt. Braulio Macalos was wounded.
Garillo said the suspect then tried to look for other soldiers sleeping inside the rooms of the barracks.
“The soldiers were already awakened by the gunshots and noise and were ready for Villabito to enter,” Garillo said.
Garillo said Privates Mark Anthony Aguinid and Pfc. Joseph Estrada reportedly tackled Villabito and in the ensuing scuffle shot and killed the suspect.
He said Ssgt. Macalos was declared out of danger and recuperating at the Camp Evangelist Station Hospital at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters.
In his visit to Camp Evangelista early this month, Army Chief Lt. General Romeo Brawner Jr., expressed concern over the rising cases of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among soldiers.
Brawner said they are setting up an army unit of psychologists to help soldiers suffering the anxiety disorder caused by stressful, frightening, and distressing events.
