Elite Rangers Quarrel, Die

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LABRADOR, Pangasinan – Two members of the elite Army Scout Ranger died last Friday in Brgy. Uyong here through gunshot wounds when Master Sergeant Marianito Bolante, 47, quarreled with MSgt. Dennis Malong Quiajado about the latter absent without leave (AWOL) that resulted for him to shot Bolante several times.

ELITE SCOUT RANGERS. These intrepid rangers are part of the Philippines military  specializing in anti-guerrilla jungle warfare, raids, ambushes, close quarters combat, urban warfare and sabotage against the country's enemies like the Moro rebels and the communist insurgents. (Photo is an internet grabbed)

The duo was part of an Army unit specializing in anti-guerrilla jungle warfare, raids, ambushes, close quarters combat, urban warfare and sabotage.

“Initial investigation disclosed that the victim together with his companion went to the house of the suspect to inform him regarding his AWOL case. During their conversation a heated argument ensued between them wherein the suspect suddenly drew a short firearm and fired successive shots towards the victim and his companion. As a result, the victim sustained gunshot wounds and died on the spot, while his five companion were unhurt,” excerpt of the spot report given to this writer by Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) Director Col. Jeff E. Fanged.

Both of the soldiers have been assigned at the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) - Philippine Army, Camp Tecson, Brgy. Tartaro, San Miguel, Bulacan

Bolante was accompanied by MSgt. Rehum Pamisa Magno, SSgt. Denver Corpuz Obra, SSgt. Ricardo Agaton Gosang, SSgt. Regie De Dios Aquino, and Cpl. Aljon De Vera Layco who are all members of FSRR of the same address.  

When the responding policemen that hailed from the police station here arrived at 8:30 a.m, it resulted into a brief exchanged of gunfire between them and Quiajado. It stopped when the latter ran and hid inside his house.

When Col. Fanged arrived around 10;45 a.m the police started the negotiation for the beleaguered Sergeant to lay down his pistol and surrender.

“During the negotiation at around 11:30 a.m on the same date, a gunfire rang emanated from the location of the suspect and a silence was observed prompting the responding police officers to verify the location and the suspect was seen lying on the ground after he committed suicide by shooting himself using his firearm,” another excerpt of the spot report.

MSgt. Marianito Bolante (top photo) lying prostrate and bloody after MSgt. Dennis Malong Quiajado shot him to death several times with his pistol. Quiajado (photo below) lying dead  after he commited suicide after exchanging fire with the responding cops. The casualties are members of the elite Scout Ranger. Photo Credit: Col.Jeff E. Fanged

Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO) from PFU, Lingayen arrived at the crime scene and conducted processing and recovered the following: a. One Glock 17 Gen 4, 9mm with SN: AFP033623 with fired cartridge case stock in the chamber and with inserted magazine containing 12 live ammunition owned by the suspect. b. Eleven fired cartridge cases of caliber 9mm. c. One fired cartridge case for 5.56mm. d. Personal belongings and IDs of Bolante. 4. The victim and the suspect were brought to Sual Infirmary Hospital, Brgy. Caoayan, Sual, Pangasinan but were pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.

 The gray Nissan Terra’s vehicle of Msgt. Bolante and his five companions was also hit during the shooting with one bullet hole

During the confrontation between Msgt. Quiajado and the police, it resulted into a monstrous traffic that snaked from Sual to Lingayen as the law enforcers block the highway to prevent motorists of being hurt.