The Philippine Army confirmed that five soldiers, including the suspect, were killed in a mass shooting incident inside the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) at Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City before dawn Saturday, February 11.
A report from 4ID spokesman Maj. Francisco Garello Jr. said the incident occured at the barracks of the Service Support Battalion (SSBn) around 1:10 AM.
The suspect, who is also in the military, shot dead four SSBn personnel using a government-issued M16 rifle while the victims were sleeping. He then proceeded to another barracks but two responding soldiers overpowered and grappled with the gun until the suspect was gunned down.
Another soldier is critically injured, according to the Philippine Army.
READ: Iniimbestigahan na ng AFP, Philippine Army at 4th Infantry Division ang nangyaring pamamaril sa Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City na ikinamatay ng 5 sundalo na inilarawan nila bilang “isolated case”. | via @liezel_once #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/c9o3nO1y0L
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 11, 2023
The names of the fatalities as well as the suspect are still withheld as of press time. But Garello said the suspect had a rank of private while the victims had ranks of sergeant, corporal, private first class, and private.
Investigations have been conducted to determine the reason behind the suspect's amuck.
"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," Garello said.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag, commander of 4ID, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.
The commander of the 4ID, Maj. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag, has now created a board of inquiry team to investigate the matter.
“We vow close coordination with the PNP as we also conduct an internal prove that will look into all angles that triggered the incident,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Garello said the 4ID will extend all the necessary assistance to the families of the victims, including benefits and claims.
“We assure the public that this is an isolated incident. This will not have any impact [on] the operations of SSBn,” he noted.
In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it commiserate with the families of the victims.
"Likewise, we have already directed the Philippine Army to conduct investigation and implement measures that will prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future," the AFP said.
READ: Philippine Army statement on the shooting incident at Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City. | via RH30 @liezel_once pic.twitter.com/z9sLFJjW0y
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 11, 2023
