An Army enlisted man ran amok last night in a military outpost in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City, killing his immediate superior, and injuring three others, before he was also gunned down, the military said.

The slain soldiers were identified by Lt. Col. Felicisimo Budiongan, Task Force North commander, as 2Lt. Joey Lacson, a platoon leader of the 32nd Reconnaissance Company of the 3rd Infantry Division, and PFC Leo Erasmo of the same unit.

Injured were Army Pvts. Roldan Nadalo, 23, Renry Concepcion, 23 and Jommel Jamelarin, 24, all members of the 32nd DRC who are assigned at the Bato detachment in Sagay.

Budiongan said the reported shooting rampage of Erasmo took place after he and Lacson engaged in heated arguments during a military formation at the Bato detachment at about 6:45 last night. Initial military investigations show that Lacson was gunned down when he tried to stop Erasmo who was on a shooting rampage.

Lacson who suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the breast, and Erasmo who had a fatal gunshot wound in his head, were both declared dead on arrival at the Alfredo Marañon Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City.

On the other hand, the three injured soldiers are now being treated for gunshot wounds at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City. Budiongan said the injured soldiers are now in stable condition.

He said they are still determining what triggered the altercation between Erasmo and Lacson.

Supt. William Senoron, Sagay police chief, said he has dispatched a police team to conduct an investigation at the crime scene in Sagay City, as requested by the Philippine Army.

The 32nd and 33rd Reconnaissance Companies are the two striking forces of the 3rd Infantry Division placed under the supervision of the Task Force North.*GPB

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