BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion will file an administrative charge on top of the criminal case that the police plans to file against militiaman who was arrested after the Easter Sunday shooting of two residents, one a boy, in the northern Negros Occidental city where the 79th is also based.
“He will definitely be charged,” First Lieutenant Dan Carlo Samoza told DNX as he confirmed that suspected shooter Ryan Montejar, aged 32, is an active member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit that is under the 79th’s command.
The CAFGU is a citizens militia that is an important support arm of the Army in its anti-Communist operations.
The Sagay Police Office reported to Camp Montelibano that Montejar shot Danilo Canete, aged 56, and a minor, 17, while he was drunk at the seaside village of Puey in Sagay City, more than an hour north of here.
Montejar, a native of Toboso town, reportedly used a 45 caliber pistol, and was arrested in a follow up operation of soldiers and police.
Samoza said the firearm was owned by Montejar and not issued to him by the Army.
He added Montejar had no previous derogatory record while serving in the CAFGU.
“It’s an isolated incident and we do not tolerate such kind of behavior,” he added..
