Army trooper tagged in slay of 2 Bulacan residents surrenders

MANILA, Philippines – An Army Scout Ranger trooper accused of killing two people in Bulacan on May 22 has surrendered to authorities last week, a military spokesman said Wednesday.

“Private First Class Maximo Pasking asked to be picked up to face the criminal cases that would be filed against him,” Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said in a phone interview.

Colonel Abraham Bagasin, commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment, immediately took Pasking in his custody, he added.

Bagasin ordered his unit to conduct an investigation to shed light on the circumstances, Cabunoc also said.

He added that Pasking reiterated during the investigation that he only acted in self defense.

Pasking was reported to have shot and killed Vicente Simbugao and his wife, Melanie, after a heated argument in San Jose del Monte.

Pasking claimed he was only trying to negotiate the return of his personal firearm which was pawned by a brother-in-law to one of the victims without his consent.

The father of the individual who had Pasking’s gun was said to have berated the soldier.

Pasking claimed that when he was stabbed in the foot, he retaliated by shooting his attackers.

Meanwhile, Pasking will be turned over to the police once a warrant of arrest is made.

Administrative charges may also be filed depending on the recommendation of the Provost Marshal, Cabunoc said.

“We will not tolerate any wrongdoings of soldiers,” he added.