Soldier mows down 5 comrades

A SOLDIER who had just returned from the vacation he took because of family problems ended up mowing down five of his colleagues and wounding nine others attending a Bible study in Sumisip, Basilan.

Cpl. Tahiruddin Taha ran amok with an M-16 rifle, firing at around 30 session participants on Thursday until responding soldiers shot him dead.

The incident happened at 8:45 a.m. at the headquarters of Bravo Company of the 64th Infantry Battalion, in Cabengbeng Upper , Sumisip, Basilan, where the suspect was a gunner in the mortar section.

“We believe it was an isolated incident and we will look closer into its medical and psychological aspects to determine the root cause,” said Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao.

Killed by Taha were 1Lt. Camlon Martin Puao, 2Lt. Alvin Ebina, Cpl. Robert Jondayran, Pfc. Jessrell Calud and SSgt. Jonathan Galicto.

Wounded were 1Lt. Pada Guingar, the company commander; TSgt. Jerry Cardoza, Sgt. Anthony Bentoy, Pfc. Elber

Noble, Pfc. Ruel Macalapay, Pfc. Nelson Calambro, Pfc. Junnel Cajote, Pfc. Remie Espanola Jr. and Pastor Rolly Matson who led the Bible study.

“Every soldier that we lose is a huge blow to us. There were many soldiers killed, so this is a very big loss to us,” Hao said. The session participants were all unarmed.

One week ago, Taha returned from a vacation he had requested, citing family problems.

“When he came back, his colleagues noticed he was quiet and sad, unlike his usual self that was approachable and jolly,” Hao said.

Around 8 a.m. on Thursday, the suspect approached the soldier on guard duty at the military installation, asking if he could take his place as the sentinel on duty.

The guard, however, told Taha his shift didn’t start until noon and he could only go on duty at that time.

“Taha then said, ‘Sige maglalaba na lang ako (OK, I’ll just do laundry).’ He then went back to the barracks behind the multipurpose center where the Bible study was being held,” Hao said.

Forty-five minutes later, Taha went to the back of the multipurpose center and opened fire on the participants of the Bible study.

The soldier on duty and other troops heard the shots and responded to the scene, shooting and killing Taha instantly.

The suspect was reportedly a Moro National Liberation Front rebel integree from Indanan, Sulu. He did not have a derogatory record.

Hao said a team of Army doctors and psychologists would fly to Basilan to provide medical and psychological interventions for the survivors.

“We look at this in a medical and psychological aspect as of now. We want to find out what happened to prevent these kinds of incidents. Of course the survivors are suffering from trauma and we want to check on these things,” he said.