Soldier wanted for killing civilian arrested

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Police nabbed an active member of the Philippine Army who was tagged in the killing of a civilian months ago.

The Jamindan Municipal Police Station served an arrest warrant against Staff Sergeant Jomarel Verde Vacaro, 35, who is assigned to the Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion and a resident of Barangay Aglibacao, Jamindan, Capiz.

The warrant was issued by Judge Judith Tonogbanua of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 20 in Mambusao, Capiz on Jan. 18, 2023.

A P120,000 bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

Vacaro was accused of shooting Arnulfo Mendoza Vacaro during a binge drinking session in the middle of 2022.

The army soldier claimed that it was purely accidental that he shot the victim who also happened to be his relative.

Meanwhile, a man wanted for murder was arrested Monday morning at Sitio Napatuo in Brgy. San Nicolas, Tapaz town.

Police identified the suspect as Roger Palma, 45, of said place.

Palma was jailed in Passi City, Iloilo but escaped in 2014.

Executive Judge Gerardo Diaz of the Regional Trial Court 6th Judicial Regional Branch 68 in P.D. Monfort North, Dumangas, Iloilo, issued the warrant on June 11, 2003. No bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

Police recovered from Palma a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with live ammunition and 5 more ammunitions inside a sling bag.