Retired Marine officer found dead in Fort Bonifacio

A retired Marine officer was found dead inside a military facility in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig on Friday morning with a bullet wound in his head.

Retired 2Lt. Romeo Sierra arrived at the firing range of Bonifacio Naval Station around 7 a.m. based on CCTV footage, according to Navy spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo. He was found dead a little over an hour later.

“It was past 8 a.m. this morning when his body was found holding his personal cal. 45 with a wound in the head,” Arevalo said.

Sierra served as range officer at the firing range during shooting competitions, he added.

An investigation is being conducted by the Scene of the Crime Operations, a unit under the Philippine National Police, together with the Taguig Police and the Philippine Navy.

Asked if the incident was a case of suicide, Arevalo said: “We're not in a position to make a conclusion. That, we believe rightfully resides with the SOCO.”

Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan has already extended his condolences to Sierra's family.

“The admiral has extended his condolences to the bereaved family of 2Lt. Sierra, a former member of the Philippine Marine Corps. He also assured that the Navy would be cooperating with the police to shed light on this incident,” Arevalo said. —KBK, GMA News