Drunken soldier arrested for shooting civilian, resisting cops

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Direct assault charges were filed Wednesday against a soldier accused of shooting at police officers when he resisted arrest in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Police Lt. Col. Anthony Grande, chief of the Himamaylan City Police Station, said the complaint was filed against a member of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion.

Grande said the suspect, who appeared intoxicated, was first seen firing at least three cars that passed by.

He later confronted individuals drinking at a nearby convenience store.

The suspect allegedly drew his firearm, and one of the men tried to pacify him by grabbing the weapon.

The soldier overpowered him and shot him in the right foot.

Despite being wounded, the civilian ran, while the suspect crossed the street, prompting others to call police.

Responding officers from a nearby market tried to pacify the soldier, but he allegedly fired at them.

Police returned fire, but the suspect fled and hid inside a compound.

No officers were injured.

Grande said police held back from firing again since the suspect ran toward a residential area.

He said it took more than an hour of negotiations before the soldier surrendered to a colleague after police sought Army assistance.

Police recovered a .45 caliber firearm, which was sent for examination.

Grande said they were unsure if it was a personal or issued weapon.

He added that the civilian is recuperating in a hospital and that more charges may be filed.

Grande also said no complaints were filed by car owners affected by the soldier’s random shooting.