SAF shoots 4 civilians in Ilocos S.; 2 die, 2 hurt

CAMP QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur — A member of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) assigned in Maguindanao shot four civilians, killing two of them, following a scuffle with the victims in which his brother was also shot and wounded in Barangay Naglaoa-an, Santo Domingo, this province, before midnight last Saturday.

A report reaching this camp identified the fatalities as Florante T. Tabuso, 36; and Liezel A. Agcamaran, 33; and the wounded as Palmie T. Susa, 36; Joshua U. Rubang, 10; and Ryan Briones, 16.

Senior Inspector Roberto C. Valiente, Sto. Domingo chief of police, said the SAF member was Police Officer 2 Jun Christopher Briones, who is detailed in Maguindanao but had returned to Barangay Naglaoa-an, here, to celebrate his birthday with his family last weekend.

Initial investigation showed that after his birthday party, PO2 Briones decided to visit a wedding party at a neighbor’s house to make peace with Tabuso, with whom he had an old grudge.

But when PO2 Briones arrived to offer a handshake to Tabuso, the latter allegedly reached for the SAF member’s .45-caliber gun while Susa allegedly held on to him, Valiente said.

During the scuffle, the gun went off and hit PO2 Briones’ brother, Ryan. At this juncture, PO2 Briones tried to wrest possession of the gun and as it fired, Tabuso, Susa, Rubang and Agcamaran were hit.

Tabuso and Agcamaran died on the spot while Rubang was taken to the Northside Doctors Hospital in Bantay. Susa was being treated at the Metro Vigan Coop Hospital, also in Bantay.

PO2 Briones fled the scene and was being hunted by police, said Valiente.