• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The two motorcycle riding gunmen tagged in the shooting of an Army soldier on February 17 at Sitio Takas in Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, are facing criminal charges for frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearms and explosives, as well as for violation of RA 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, according to the Philippine Army.
The respondents in the criminal complaints are Joebert Gimarangan, alias Jojo, and Alfie Raganas, alias Dondon, whose backgrounds are still being checked by the San Carlos City Police Station.
Both were arrested by the police during a pursuit operation, after they allegedly shot at Army Sgt. Alfort Tito, who suffered three gunshot injuries.
Seized from the possession of Raganas were a fragmentation grenade, a KG 9 automatic pistol with a magazine, a motorcycle helmet, and about 162.67 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1,106,156 and 2.47 grams of dried marijuana leaves.
Recovered from the possession of Gimarangan were a Remington caliber .45 pistol with four magazines containing 24 rounds of ammunition, a holster, P402 in cash, a sling bag and a motorcycle helmet, according to the police.
1Lt. Dan Carlo Somoza, Civil Military Operations chief of the 79th Infantry Battalion, disclosed that the injured Army soldier is now in stable condition.*
