Mental health programs, recruitment process under review after Camp Evangelista shooting - Brawner

Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr. said Wednesday he ordered a review of their mental health programs and recruitment procedures after the fatal shooting at Camp Evangelista recently.

"I ordered an honest-to-goodness assessment of our mental health programs. We already have mental health programs in the Philippine Army, but my question is, are these being implemented properly by our units?" he told reporters.

"One thing that we are also looking into is the proper recruitment procedures for our new recruits. We have to make sure that all of them will pass the neuropsychiatric examination," he added.

Still, Brawner said that several soldiers experienced stress and trauma while doing their duty, even if they passed the neuropsychiatric test.

On February 11, a soldier attacked and opened fire on his fellow servicemen who were asleep at Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City.

Five soldiers, including the suspect, were killed in the incident, while another one was injured.

Based on the initial investigation of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID), the four victims were sleeping in their room in the Service Center Battalion Headquarters when the soldier shot them with an M16 rifle.

Police are now looking into the neuropsychiatric background of the suspect. — VBL, GMA Integrated News