By Jennifer P. Rendon
A Philippine Army soldier was gunned down by a fellow soldier at their comrade’s wake in Sigma, Capiz evening of Dec 6, 2022.
Staff Sergeant Mariano Daran, 43, of Barangay Jaena Norte, Jamindan, Capiz, was believed to have instantly died after sustaining multiple gunshot injuries on his body.
Members of the Sigma Response Team (SRT) took the victim to Mambusao District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Village officials later arrested the suspect, Corporal Joemarie Fermaran, 41, of Barangay Lumapao, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Both Daran and Fermaran are members of the 12th Infantry Battalion based in Camp Cipriano Carreon in Barangay Libot, Calinog, Iloilo.
The two soldiers were part of a team that secured the wake of Sergeant Regie Glendro at Barangay Pinamalatican, a village 15 kilometers from the town proper.
Glendro was one of two intelligence operatives of the Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion based in Candoni, Negros Occidental who were killed in an ambush at Sitio Camboguiot in Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City on Nov 24.
According to police investigation, Fermaran was preparing for his duty as one of the honor guards when Daran confronted him around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Captain Marvin Balmes, Sigma police chief, said Daran was sort of reprimanding Fermaran for allegedly loitering in the area.
Daran was allegedly having concerns about Fermaran leaving the immediate vicinity of the wake since the village sits in a far-flung area.
The confrontation led to a heated argument.
Shortly later, Fermaran was seen shooting the victim.
Balmes said other individuals at the wake, including their fellow soldiers, had to scamper for safety.
After he was arrested and taken to the police station, Fermaran admitted that he had only taken “one shot” of liquor, thus, he was far from being drunk.
Balmes said Fermaran answered questions from investigators.
The suspect has been repeatedly saying that he shot the victim for frequently singling him out.
“He didn’t talk about remorse. At times, he was just staring blankly,” he said.
It was gathered that Fermaran has been with the service for 16 years already.
Recovered from the crime scene were 22 empty shells of caliber 5.56mm ammunition, a caliber .9mm Glock 17 (serial number AFP066276) loaded with 16 ammunition, and an empty magazine for an M16 rifle.
Fermaran turned over his service firearm – a Remington .5.56mm rifle (serial number DL027516) with magazine loaded with seven ammunition.
