Army negotiating surrender of Scout Ranger implicated in fatal shooting

Soldiers of the First Scout Ranger Regiment are negotiating the surrender of Private First Class Maximo Pasking, who is alleged to have shot and killed two people after a heated altercation in Barangay Kaypian, Palmera, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan last Tuesday.   Army spokesperson Major Harold M. Cabunoc said Ranger troops have been sent to talk with the family and to locate Pasking, who is also the subject of a police manhunt.   “The immediate superior of Pfc. Pasking is now closely coordinating with the local police in Bulacan for his immediate arrest. We will make him answer the criminal charges lodged against him,” Cabunoc also said. He added that if found by military personnel, Pasking will be turned over to law enforcers.   The Philippine Army news release said a female neighbor, who refused to be identified for security reasons, narrated that Pasking was trying to negotiate for the return of his personal firearm because the weapon was supposedly pawned without his consent by a brother-in-law to one of the victims.   The neighbor said that Pasking was then cursed at and humiliated by the father of the person who was in possession of the gun.   "Later in the evening, Pasking returned to ask for the gun but was stabbed by one of them. To defend himself against his attackers who mobbed him, he drew his pistol and fired at them before fleeing," she said.    Captain Gerald Pensona, Commanding Officer of the 12th Scout Ranger Company, where Pasking belongs, said that Pasking is a well-disciplined soldier.   “I have no problems with him. He is a well-disciplined soldier who performs his duties very well. I was surprised by this incident. I allowed him to go on rest and recreation which will end on May 25,” said Pensona.   Rest and Recreation is one of the morale and welfare programs of the Army which allow soldiers in combat duties to spend time with their families for at least 15 days. — ELR, GMA News