PNP files raps vs Army soldier, ex-Army pal in hold-up
'Scalawags have no place in AFP,' Marquez says
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here vowed full cooperation on the investigation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) following last week's robbery-hold up perpetuated by an Army soldier and an associate.
Full cooperation matched with condemnation from top AFP officials in the region who similarly said, such criminal acts had no place in the service.
And this, as the subject Army soldier remains in guarded condition in one city hospital when shot at close range by a responding security guard.
"We will not condone those actions and we support the PNP in their investigation," said AFP's Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the 3rd Civil Relations Unit. "And most of all, scalawags have no place in the AFP."
Captain Marquez was first to issue a statement against the incident as media reports confirmed the identity of the suspects.
Seriously wounded is primary hold-up suspect Private First Class (PFC) Joebert Aparri of Milibili, Roxas City, Capiz, an organic member of the 47th Infantry Batallion. Aparri is currently assigned in the Province of Antique.
His partner in crime was former Army pal and classmate, Sherwin Datiles who is now behind bars. Both hailed from Roxas City.
Army Colonel David Tan, spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division for his part said Army hierarchy definitely has nothing to do with the duo's criminal acts.
A personal choice of the culprits, Tan said of Aparri and Datiles' actions when reached for comment by Bombo Radyo Iloilo.
The two were armed and demanded money from Porferio Bolivar, a collector of RMG Marketing in Loboc, Lapaz, Iloilo City. Bolivar was then with co-worker Arnold Baldomero and were about to make a deposit of their cash collections in San Lorenzo Subdivision.
The victims were first manhandled by the suspects that got the company secretary to call the security guard for help.
The alert security managed to got the upper hand of the situation and shot Aparri.
The Philippine Army (PA) is reportedly conducting a parallel probe on the incident alongside the service record vis a vis performance of Aparri. Datiles has since been discharged from the service though it was not immediately clear what prompted the end of his military stint.
Tan according to Bombo Radyo already ensured that similar fate awaits Aparri with his major involvement in the robbery-hold-up.
Meantime, Iloilo City Police Office Director Superintendent Eugenio Espejo in a related Bombo Radyo interview said that same suspects are eyed in at least three hold-up incidents in the city.
Espejo said positive identification was made by the victims on the duo. TNT gathered that two more accomplices were named to police and now subject of manhunt.
On top of the city hold-ups, Espejo said the possibility is high that it would be also Aparri and cohorts who are behind the series of stolen motorcycles in Roxas and Iloilo.
Aparri's direct superior, Lieutenant Colonel Tyne Banias, commanding officer of 47th Infantry Batallion PA assured that Aparri will face the strongest penalties as provided for in the Military Laws.
Sadly, the 29 year-old Aparri prior to last week's robbery-hold up incident had no known criminal records and was said to be a trusted by his officers.
Army peers and family members blamed his fate on Datiles.
Aparri's mother and sister in law went to Bombo Radyo Roxas expressing disbelief and shock on the incident. Similar sentiments from wife who said she has since discouraged her husband's association with Datiles.
Aparri's last excuse to his family was that of a conference in Iloilo reason why he had to leave Roxas City over the holiday break.
When shot, the duo tried to escape on board the get-away motorcycle. Datiles led police to their whereabouts though when hospital authorities reported of a wounded man brought in the emergency room for treatment.