By BIN Staff | 11:17 PM August 30, 2020
A 70-year-old man in Malingin Island was allegedly shot by a soldier on Sunday afternoon, August 30, while the island is still on lockdown to prevent further transmission of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The victim was identified as Leopoldo Saligan.
According to witnesses, Saligan was with his nieces and nephews on Sunday afternoon talking about his experiences as a former member of the Philippine Constabulary (PC).
PC became the backbone of the Philippine Army, later re-established after World War II and was known as both the Philippine Constabulary and as the Military Police Command in 1946. It consisted of soldiers trained in military police duties with nationwide jurisdiction.
Police Staff Sergeant Romelito Avenido of Bien Unido Police Station identified the soldier as Reymund Casiple, a member of the 47th Infantry Battalion Charlie (Catalyst) Company.
According to Saligan’s relative, Casiple interrupted their talks.
“Namis-interpret lang niya ang among giestoryahan. Abi niya siya ang among gilibak (He misinterpreted it. He thought we were talking about him),” the relative told Bohol Island News.
Casiple was reportedly drunk when he approached them.
Then, a heated argument ensued between Saligan and Casiple that the latter got irated, pulled out his pistol and fired it at the old man.
Saligan sustained seven gunshot wounds in the body that caused his instant death.
Casiple walked and went to the house of the village chief to surrender.
Col. Jerry Borja, the commander of Task Group Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor, when sought for comment only confirmed that the shooting incident involved one of their military personnel.
He told BIN to seek details with the police as to the circumstances since this is a law enforcement matter.
However, he assured that they will cooperate and appropriate charges will be filed against the soldier by the police depending on the result of the investigation.
Currently, Casiple is now under the custody of the Bien Unido Police Station.
