THE Philippine Army is determining if there are “gaps” in the recruitment and training of soldiers following last Saturday’s shooting incident inside an Army camp in Cagayan de Oro City, which led to the death of five soldiers, including a soldier who ran amok.
“This (suspect) is a private, he is new to the service,” Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said, referring to the gunman, Johmar Villabito of the Army’s Service Support Battalion.
“We are trying to identify possible gaps. There might be something in the recruitment process and also in the training that we have (to look into),” said Trinidad.
Villabito ran amok inside the battalion’s headquarters Camp Evangelista, also home to the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, in Cagayan de Oro City early morning last Saturday.
Villabito shot his fellow soldiers who were asleep in their quarters, killing Sgt. Rogelio Rojo Jr, Cpl. Bernard Rodrigo, Pfc. Prince Kevin Balaba and Pvt. Joseph Tamayo. S/Sgt. Braulio Macalos Jr. was wounded.
Villabito later barged into another room where two soldiers — Pvt. Mark Anthony Aguined and Pfc. Josiah Estrada — wrestled to secure his rifle. Aguined later shot dead Villabito in self-defense.
The Army has formed a Board of Inquiry to establish the facts that led to the incident, said Trinidad.
“We are looking at the possible cause that triggered the incident. We are looking on the possible (gaps) in the recruitment and training itself,” said Trinidad.
Trinidad described the incident as an “isolated case” but nevertheless said there is a need to look into the recruitment and training process to avoid a repeat of the incident.
“We want to know possible gaps in our already stringent recruitment and training process. We want to improve them to prevent a similar inside in the future,” said Trinidad.
Trinidad said the Army will also be intensifying its mental health program for its soldiers.
He said improving the mental health of soldiers is one of the “pet programs” unveiled by Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr when he assumed command of the Army in December 2021.
“We have program on this before,” said Trinidad. He said Brawner, upon assumption as Army chief, gave further importance to the Army’s mental health program.
“That’s one of the trusts and guidance of the CGPA (Commanding General, Philippine Army), that’s one of the programs he is implementing,” Trinidad said of Brawner.
On January 15, 2Lt. Stephanie Rebellon of the Army’s Civil Military Operations Regiment was found dead insider her quarters at the Army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
Investigation showed Rebellon committed suicide, Trinidad said.
“Basically, she is facing pressure in her work. We are also looking at family-related angle,” said Trinidad.
