ILOILO City – A member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) faces administrative and criminal charges for the accidental shooting of a relative on Tuesday in Barangay Aglibacao, Jamindan, Capiz.
Army Sergeant Joemarie Vacaro, 35, and assigned at the 12 Infantry Battalion based in Calinog, Iloilo, voluntarily surrendered to the Jamindan police station at 4:30 p.m.
He admitted accidentally shooting relative Arnulfo Vacaro, 40, while binge drinking with another relative, Jesreel Vacaro.
Initial Investigation conducted by Police Captain Tobias Garfin of the Jamindan police station showed that when they were all drunk, Joemarie got his .357 revolver and asked Arnulfo to hold it.
The gun went off, hitting Arnulfo.
Jesreel told the police he was urinating a few meters away from the two when he heard a burst of gunfire.
When he checked, the suspect asked help from him to bring the victim to the hospital.
Arnulfo died at the Capiz Memorial Hospital.
“Daw ginapakita-kita nya iya pusil sa paryente niya. Gin ayo sang victim seguro if pwede nya ma-uyatan pero aksidente naglupok,” Garfin said.
The 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) is also investigating the incident./PN