Soldier killed in dispute over dog

MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine Air Force (PAF) soldier was killed while a security guard was wounded in Batangas following an altercation over a dog early Wednesday, police said.

Senior Inspector Lizel Dimaandal, spokesperson of the Batangas Provincial Police, identified the slain soldier as Airman Second Class Joemon Rodriguez Articulo, 25, a 733^rd squadron PAF member assigned in Nasugbu Batangas.

Dimaandal said that Articulo, his dog, and a buddy was walking their way home from a burger stand along Sitio (sub-village) Parola, Barangay (village) Wawa around 12 a.m., when they passed by the residence of Liza Abutin, a house guarded by suspect Allan Humarang Ernie, 34, and another guard who was only identified as “Jr.”

Dimaandal said that Ernie suddenly walked towards Articulo and, for still unknown reason, kicked the soldier’s dog.

She said that when Articulo asked why Ernie allegedly drew his .45 caliber pistol and shot the soldier. A firefight between them followed. The soldier reportedly used a .38 caliber hand gun, police said.

Dimaandal said the victim was shot in different parts of his body while Ernie sustained a gun wound on his left ribcage.

Articulo was rushed to Nasugbu Doctors General Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by his attending physician while Ernie was taken to Apacible Memorial District Hospital for treatment and was later transferred to Madonna Medical Center.

Six spent shells and one live ammunition for a .45 caliber pistol, and three spent shells and one live ammunition for .38 caliber hand gun were recovered from the crime scene, Dimaandal said.

Meanwhile, alias “Jr.” is still at large, Dimaandal said.