BY MARTIN A. SADONGDONG
The soldier who went on a shooting rampage inside the barracks of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City last Tuesday died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, an official disclosed Wednesday.
Airman Second Class Christopher Lim died at 2:24 p.m. Wednesday at the Baguio General Hospital after he shot himself in the jaw following the shooting incident at the PMA barracks, said Major Cherryl Tindog, PMA spokesperson.
“Our personnel who opened fire and shot himself had passed away na po at around 2:24 p.m. kanina po,” Tindog said.
Earlier, it was revealed that Lim was suffering from mental health problems when he indiscriminately fired an M16 rifle inside their barracks around 4:50 p.m. Tuesday.
Air Force Staff Sergeant Joefrey Turqueza, a colleague of Lim, died on the spot while Army Staff Sgt. Vivencio Raton was wounded.
According to military and police reports, Lim had a heated argument with Turqueza and Raton while inside their barracks.
At the height of the argument, Lim left the room and went to the second floor to get an M16 rifle.
He then went back to the room where the victims were, and opened fire, the reports said.
Tindog said that the incident was an “isolated case” even as he assured that the PMA management will cooperate with the police for a deeper investigation.
Meanwhile, Raton was still undergoing further medication at the Baguio General Hospital as of this writing, Tingod said. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
