The Philippine Army confirmed that four soldiers were killed and one wounded by their colleague inside Camp Evangelista of the 4th Infantry Division in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City before dawn on Saturday.
Major Francisco Garello Jr., 4ID spokesperson, in a statement said the shooting incident transpired at the Service Support Battalion where the four fatalities were sleeping in their respective rooms when the suspect with the rank of private shot them using an M16 rifle.
“After which, the suspect went to other room/barracks wherein two soldiers wrestled and managed to neutralize the suspect, acting in self-defense… which caused the suspect’s death,” Gallero said.
The wounded soldier was immediately brought to the camp’s hospital. One of the fatalities is the roommate of the suspect.
Gallero said the 4ID is now in close coordination with the Philippine National Police in investigating the shooting event.
“We are also conducting an internal probe that will look into all angles that triggered the incident,” he added, noting that the 4ID is still gathering other information from witnesses to establish what happened prior to the incident.
The 4ID is in the process of informing the families of the SSBn personnel who died during the incident as well as the family of the wounded personnel.
“In these trying times, we are one with families praying for the repose of their souls. We assure them that all assistance will be facilitated and provided to the families to include the benefits and claims,” Gallero said, who added that the incident is an isolated case and will not affect the operations of SSBn.
Meanwhile, Philippine Army spokesperson Xerxes Trinidad said the names of the fatalities and wounded have not been disclosed yet as the 4ID is still in the process of contacting their relatives.
The 4th ID has already created a Board of Inquiry in close collaboration with the PNP to hasten the investigation into the incident.