PILI, Camarines Sur (Aug 6, 2012) – An army corporal belonging to the 565th Engineering Battalion, Philippines Army based at Camp Wenee Martillana in this capital town is facing murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 28 year-old barangay captain of New San Roque early morning of Sat. (Aug.4).
The Pili Municipal Police identified the suspect as army Corporal Leonardo Capranca who was is now in the custody of the Camarines Sur police provincial office.
Police sources said that the victim, New San Roque barangay captain Gerald Patagoc Regullano, single, sustained about 12 gunshot wounds from Cal. 45 pistol mostly on the head and face. Dr. Salles, a municipal health doctor in this locality, did the post-mortem examination of Regullano's body.
The local police reported that Capranca fired the shots at close-range at the barangay captain during a heated argument in front of the M.S. Eatery and Videoke bar along the Maharlika Highway about 1:30 A.M. Saturday. The victim was declared “dead-on-arrival” at the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City.
After the shooting, Capranca reportedly fled to a neighboring videoke bar, the “Red Bamboo,” which that was later surrounded Pili Police SWAT team, joined by members of the Police provincial public safety company.
At 6:00 A.M. on Sat., even in the presence of Pili Mayor Tomas Bongalonta and Police provincial director Ramon Ranara, Capranca was able to slip the police cordon but he voluntarily surrendered to army Col. Bernard Bautista, commanding officer of the 565 Engineering Battalion in Camp Martillana San Jose Pili.
Source also said that Capranca was allegedly irked when barangay captain Regullano earlier sought the help of the local police in apprehending three army personnel of the (3SRB) Scout Ranger Battalion who were causing trouble inside the M.S. videoke bar.
A desk officer at the Pili municipal police station said that the police blotter showed that army Staff-Sgt. Roy Longan Amora, PFC. Samuel Victor Ramos and PFC. Bryan Agorto were apprehended by the Pili police because of drunkenness and misconduct inside the bar at around 1:20 A.M., minutes before Regullano was killed. ( SONNY SALES)