CAMP BADO DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A member of the Philippine Air Force died while two others were injured at the barracks of the Philippine Military Academy, Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City Tuesday afternoon.
Investigators identified the suspect as Airman 2nd Class (A2C) Christopher F. Lim, a member of Philippine Air Force while the victims were identified as Staff Sergeant (Ssgg) Geoffrey H. Turqueza, married, also a member of Philippine Air Force and SSg Vivencio Raton, member of Philippine Army (PA).
Prior to the incident, the victims were at the 2nd floor of B-1022 EP Barracks building when the suspect approached them and without any apparent reason shot them using a M16 riffle. Turqueza succumbed to gunshot wound on the spot while Raton managed to wrestle with the suspect over the rifle thereby hitting the suspect with the said rifle.
Ssg Raton and suspect Lim were immediately rushed at Philippine Military Academy Station Hospital (PMASH) but later transferred to Baguio General Hospital, while Ssg Turqueza was declared dead on arrival by LTCOL NEALON EUGENE BATALLA, Medical Officer of the Day, from PMASH.
Investigation revealed that A2C Lim destroyed the locker of A1C Jeffrey Quindoza, PAF and took his issued riffle which he allegedly used in shooting the victims.
SOCO team is now conducting crime scene investigation, while police are looking into the root cause of the incident which accordingly started with a misunderstanding that led in a heated argument.
Appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect as soon as all documents have been prepared. (PROCOR RPIO)