CAFGU fatally shoots father and son in Negros Occidental

A father and son who allegedly ran amok were killed by a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

According to a 24 Oras report by Aileen Pedreso of GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas on Thursday, the CAFGU auxiliary member, Donan Sosia, claimed he acted in self-defense after the victims threatened him with a bolo.

Cellphone video shows a uniformed Sosia, armed with an automatic rifle,   approaching a group of men sitting outside a neighborhood store in Barangay Montilla in the town of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

According to police, victims John Albert Templatura, 32, and his father Godofredo, were drunk and disturbing the community. Barangay officials asked for help from a nearby military detachment.

"During sa confrontation, ang una yung anak na biglang bumunot ng itak. Ang CAFGU, just to defend himself, pinagbabaril niya ang bata,” said Police Major Joevito Bose of PNP-Moises Padilla.

(During the confrontation, the son suddenly pulled out a bolo. The CAFGU, just to defend himself, shot him.)

When Godofredo approached Sosia, the CAFGU shot him several times as well. Two bystanders were also wounded in the hail of gunfire.

Sosia is detained at the Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station, and is facing charges of  multiple homicide .

GMA Regional TV is trying to get Sosia's side, who in other interviews claimed he was only defending himself.

"We required 62nd Infantry Battalion to conduct investigation and of course ang ating intelligence unit inutusan rin natin ma mag-conduct ng separate investigation,” said Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office.

The military said it is ready to help the family of the victims as well as the two civilians who were hit by stray bullets, who are reportedly in good condition despite their injuries.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News