By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The commander of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde) based in Negros Occidental has reminded all Army personnel in the province to avoid drinking liquor in public places.

This comes after an Army scout ranger was shot dead in a bar brawl in a restobar at Bacolod City’s Barangay Singcang-Airport on Wednesday, November 16.

Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303IBde, said Army personnel should follow guidelines.

Pasaporte advised the troops that they could still drink, but they had to choose a more private location to prevent such incidents from happening again.

He also said that Private First Class Edmark Iwayan’s death was an unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, three of the gunman’s colleagues, who were also involved in the brawl, surrendered on Thursday morning, November 17.

Police Major Joery Puerto, Police Station 8 commander, has requested not to identify the three individuals, although their initial statements corroborated an earlier claim by Joseph John Magahum, one of the victims, who is still recovering in the hospital after getting a shot in his leg.

The three have denied that they have the 9mm pistol allegedly used by the suspect Ulyssis Carampatana in the shooting.

Puerto said the three would become witnesses to the murder case that had already been filed against Carampatana.

He also said that the suspect was accompanied by seven other individuals.

The two remaining individuals are still being convinced to surrender, and Puerto warned them that they will be branded as accomplices to the crime if they refuse to surrender.

The suspect had reportedly refused to undergo a paraffin test./DGB, WDJ