By LITO RULONA
and A.L. RICALDE
Correspondents
POLICE yesterday arrested an Army soldier for shooting and grazing a traffic aide over a heated argument at the foot of the JR Borja Bridge near Burgos Street.
Authorities identified the suspect as 44-year old Pfc. Guilmo Lofranco Jr. of the 51st Infantry Battlion under the 1st Infantry Division based in Pagadian City.
He was driving a metallic gold sports utility vehicle with license plates UVI-971 when he and Roads and Traffic Administration law enforcer Mark Sherwin Relevo had a spat.
One of the legs of the 34-year old Relevo was grazed by a bullet fired from a R4 assault rifle at around 11:30 am.
Chief Insp. Ariel Philip Pontillas, chief of the city police’s intelligence unit, said it was a case of road rage — the soldier lost his cool after Relevo stopped him because it was not his turn to cross the bridge towards Carmen.
Lofranco was subsequently arrested by officers from the Carmen police and Divisoria police precincts.
Investigators said Lofranco fired at the concrete road but the bullet ricocheted and grazed Relevo.
The victim was brought to the JR Borja General Hospital for treatment.
Relevo said Lofranco insisted on crossing the bridge even before his turn.
“Ako siyang gipa-stop kay dili pa iyang turn nga mosulod. Namugos gyud siya nga moagi mao nga ako gyud siya nga gi-stop,” Relevo said.
Relevo said Lofranco insisted and pressed forward, hitting the traffic aide’s leg.
He said he chased Lofranco on the bridge, and caught up with him because of a traffic jam, and then they argued.
He said Lofranco used his rifle at the height of their argument.
Lofranco however said Relevo provoked and challenged him to fire his firearm.
“Kung gipusil pa nako siya gi-target na nako sa iya. Gihagit man gyud ko niya. Gi-ingnan ko niya nga ‘Wala ko mahadlok sa inyuha! Pusila ko, pusila ko!’ Mao iyang challenge sa akoa,” Lofranco said.
He said he asked the traffic aide to let him pass, and drove towards the bridge.
Relevo struck his vehicle, Lofranco said.
“Gihapak niya akong sakyanan nga gi-drive. Wala nako siya maligsi. Layo ra kaayo siya,” he said.
RTA chief Nonito Oclarit said they would Relevo in pressing charges against Lofranco.
“Dili maka-tarunganon ang iyang gibuhat. Maayo gyud nga i-file ang kaso sa iya,” said Oclarit.
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