A soldier accidentally killed the daughter of his companion after their drinking session went bad Wednesday evening, November 10, at Brgy 1, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
The 15-year-old, whose name was withheld by the police, was accidentally hit by a bullet on her chest while she was sitting in a parked tricycle beside the road.
Lt. Dennis Melgarejo, Kabankalan City police deputy chief, said the teenager’s father Felix Estomo was in a drinking session with Sgt. Lito Valdevieso of the 94th Infantry Battalion.
During the drinking session Estomo asked the soldier for his identification card that led to a heated argument, the police said.
The suspect then drew his firearm and shot the victim, who managed to run but was still chased by the suspect.
The suspect fired at Estomo several times, but he also accidentally hit the teenager.
Both victims were rushed to Kabankalan City District Hospital where the minor was declared dead on arrival.
Recovered from the crime scene were three fired cartridges, one deformed slug, and one live cartridge of a .45 caliber pistol.
The suspect was arrested in a police hot pursuit operation.
During the arrest, he yielded one fired cartridge, a magazine containing nine live cartridges of a .45 caliber pistol, and an extra magazine of 14 live cartridges.
The suspect is now in police custody.
The Army will also investigate the case.*