By Jennifer P. Rendon
An active member of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division was shot dead at a KTV bar in Patnongon, Antique early morning of March 11, 2020.
The soldier, whom the local police labeled as a suspect, was identified as Private First Class Melchor dela Rosa, 31, of Barangay III, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Dela Rosa was a member of the 61st Infantry Battalion but was detailed to look after a dam in a neighboring town.
Police reports indicated that dela Rosa was hit on the head after he grappled for a gun inside Heaven’s Vidoeke Bar at Barangay Carit-an around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Police Executive Master Sergeant Alingasa, Police Staff Sergeant Gerardo Torrevilla, and Police Staff Sergeant Ronald Marcaliñas responded to the incident after its caretaker informed them of a suspicious-looking man with a handgun.
Police claimed that dela Rosa was drunk when they arrived at the bar.
Marcaliñas approached him but the soldier “suddenly drew his firearm in his sling/chest bag and pointed it to the said PNP personnel,” the report added.
Dela Rosa allegedly made the move without any reason or apparent provocation from the police.
The soldier’s act prompted Marcaliñas to grapple and wrestle the soldier for possession of the firearm in a bid to neutralize him.
Policemen noted that dela Rosa went “aggressive” and tried to shoot Marcaliñas.
Claiming that he was in imminent danger, Marcaliñas also drew his gun and shot dela Rosa in the head. The soldier died on the scene.
The SOCO team recovered a loaded caliber .45 Armscor pistol (serial number 1167498), a magazine with 9 live ammunitions, and two empty shells of caliber .9mm ammunition.
A report signed by Major Alfredo Sumaray Jr, Patnongon police chief, stated that Marcaliñas was taken into custody after the incident.
As of Thursday, the Patnongon Police Station said dela Rosa’s family will pursue charges not only against Marcaliñas but also against Alingasa and Torrevilla.
