MANILA, Philippines — Three soldiers were killed after a heated argument ended in a shooting at the 9th Field Artillery Battalion headquarters in Patikul, Sulu on Friday night.
In a statement on Saturday, Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said those involved were a first lieutenant, a major, and a corporal. The names of those involved were not disclosed as their respective families have yet to be notified, Zagala said.
Zagala said prior to the shootout, the first lieutenant was talking to the corporal after the latter hit a duty steward in their headquarters. This resulted in a heated argument between the first lieutenant and the corporal.
According to Zagala, the major then tried to intervene but the corporal shot the first lieutenant and the major. Nearby soldiers then responded and shot the corporal.
The three officers were then rushed to the Camp Bautista Station Hospital where they later died.
The incident remains under investigation, according to Zagala.