Bacolod soldier, wife die after argument turns violent

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A heated argument turned deadly Sunday when a 31-year-old soldier suffered a fatal gunshot wound and his 28-year-old wife was allegedly stabbed to death by the soldier’s father at their home in Barangay 3.

Police Lt. Conan Gadayan, officer in charge of Police Station 2, identified the victims only by the aliases Pfc. “Paul” and “Leonora.”

Gadayan said Leonora told Paul that his father had allegedly committed inappropriate acts toward her younger sister.

An argument followed, and the couple struggled over a firearm.

Gadayan said the first shot struck the ground before a second shot hit Paul in the head.

Initial findings indicated that the shooting was accidental, Gadayan said.

When Paul’s father heard the gunshots, he went to the house and found his son wounded.

Police said Paul’s father then took a knife and allegedly stabbed Leonora multiple times.

The couple were taken to a hospital, where both were declared dead.

Authorities arrested Paul’s father, who later admitted to the stabbing and attributed his actions to an emotional outburst, police said.

Investigators recovered Paul’s service firearm, a Glock 17 9 mm pistol, from the scene.

Gadayan said Paul was assigned to the Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion in Siaton, Negros Oriental, and was on official leave when the incident occurred.

The 11th Infantry Battalion is under the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

Police continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the gunfire and the stabbing.