DAVAO CITY — The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID) is investigating a soldier who allegedly mauled several civilians and illegally discharged his firearm on Christmas Day.
Brig. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., 10ID commander, identified the soldier on Wednesday as Private Junifort Agustin of the 67th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in the Davao Oriental town of Baganga.
Agustin and a companion, identified as former New People’s Army (NPA) Marlon dela Torre, were arrested on December 25 after being involved in a mauling incident during which the soldier also allegedly fired a .45-caliber pistol several times.
Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, Police Regional Office 11 (Davao region) director, said Agustin and dela Torre were identified by three residents of Barangay Salingcomot, Baganga, as the armed men who mauled them.
Agustin allegedly pointed his gun and fired several times to intimidate the complainants.
Police said one of the victims, identified as Archie Bragat, managed to disarm Agustin, forcing the two to flee.
Hours after the incident, police said Agustin and dela Torre arrived at the Baganga municipal police to retrieve the firearm that Bragat had wrested away from Agustin.
Instead, police detained the suspects for physical injury and illegal possession of firearm, Morales said.
“We do not tolerate this,” Faustino said.
It was not clear what dela Torre’s role was in the military, but police said he is a resident inside the 67IB headquarters.
