Cafgu member shot dead at New Year celebration in Zamboanga del Sur

INQUIRER FILES

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — A member of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) was shot dead exactly at the turn of New Year 2025 in Barangay Poblacion, Sominot town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Bernardo Ganar, 35, resident of Midsalip town and detailed security of Sominot Mayor Johnriel Melo, was drinking with friends to celebrate the New Year when argued with a fellow drinker who shot him on the head at 12:01 a.m. on January 1.

Lt. Col. Rolando Vargas Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion, said Ganar was rushed to a hospital in Pagadian City, but was declared dead by the attending physician.

Vargas said Ganar was also assigned to the Army’s Balunay detachment in Midsalip.

The Sominot police arrested a certain Jason, 51, who was identified as the gunman, according to Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office Director Col. Restituto Pangusban. The suspect is a resident of Sominot town.

The suspect is still being held at the Sominot Municipal Police Station for further investigation and for the filing of appropriate charges against him.