The .45 caliber pistol recovered by 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) at Hacienda Gomez, Brgy. Sag-ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, last week belonged to Cpl. Mark Anthony Quiocson.
Quiocson, a resident of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, was a member of the Community Support Program (CSP) of the 62nd Infantry “Unifier” Battalion, the Philippine Army reported Sunday, January 21.
Quiocson was on board his motorcycle when four unidentified members of the NPA waylaid him at Sitio Compound, Barangay Luz, Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental, shooting him several times and causing his instantaneous death on July 21, 2020.
The slain soldier was serving at the COVID-19 Community Control Point and helping in barangay development programs. The suspects took his firearm, cash, ATM cards, money of his fellow soldiers sent by their families, shoes, and the seafood he bought for his teammates, the Army said.
His gun was recovered in the La Castellana encounter on Wednesday, January 18.
MGen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division commander, said that the recovery of Quicson’s firearm provides significant aid to authorities legally holding the rebels responsible for the killing of Quiocson.
The confiscation of the firearm proves that the CPP-NPA terrorists are thieves and murderers, “a compelling reason to intensify our pursuit of putting an end to their atrocities”, he said.
“We hope that with the recovery of Quicson’s firearm, those responsible for his killing will be brought to justice, “he added.*