Army soldier arrested for shooting dead colleague, man in drinking binge

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – An Army soldier is now in jail after he allegedly shot dead a colleague and his companion, while in a drinking spree at the Civil Military Operations Battalion headquarters here on Saturday.

Capt. Joanne Petinglay, chief of the 6th Infantry Division public affairs office, said Private First Class Ian Murillo has been put in detention at the CMO office in PC Hill, Cotabato City.

Initial investigation disclosed that Murillo, Sgt. Eduardo Mutia and his companion, named Barak Espina, were in a drinking spree at past 12 midnight on Saturday.

Heated discussion ensued which led Murillo to pull his M-16 Armalite rifle and shoot his drinking buddies.

He fled to Upi, Maguindanao, according to Petinglay, but a manhunt was launched, which led to his arrest.