CAFGU member kills superior inside camp

ILOILO CITY, Philippines —  A member of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary shot dead his superior at the latter’s office in the military detachment at Barangay Daan Sur in Tapaz, Capiz early evening of August 16.

The CAFGU member was identified as Bobby Jimenez, 39, a resident of Barangay Taganhin in Tapaz, while the victim was Staff Sergeant Ronilo Esoy, 40, of Barangay Dayhagan in Pilar, Capiz who belonged to the 12th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

Esoy, who was also the detachment commander of the Daan Sur Patrol Base where the shooting occurred, died on the spot with gunshot injuries on the different parts of his body.

Police investigation showed that Jimenez, after their formation activities at the camp, entered the office of Esoy and said, “Sir, kumusta, sir?” but was pointing his M16 armalite at the latter.

Senior Inspector Edwin Luces, Tapaz Police chief, said what happened next came as a surprise to other military and para-military personnel.

Jimenez allegedly shot Esoy in automatic gunfire hitting the latter on his left upper arm, right portion of his chest, lower right portion of his chest, and left side of his chest.

Sergeant Hose Melysendy, the assistant detachment commander, subsequently arrested and disarmed Jimenez.

The suspect was the turned over to responding police officers, together with the firearm used in committing the crime — an M16 Elisco rifle (serial number 208892) with magazine loaded with 16 live ammunition. Recovered from the crime scene were 15 fired cartridge cases of 5.56mm rifle.

Investigation showed that Jimenez could have resented Esoy’s refusal to his request to let him go home. Lieutenant Colonel Roderick Garcia, commander of the 12th IB, said Jimenez asked Esoy if he could take a leave on August 15, to see his wife and children.

“But Esoy did not allow them since we are on red alert status,” Garcia recalled. The following day, Jimenez allegedly drank liquor, without the knowledge of his superior, but also participated in the formation at 6 p.m.

Immediately after their formation, Jimenez, without provocation, attacked Esoy.