Army soldier surrenders after being linked to killing of two Cotabato village officials
A soldier from the Philippine Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion turned himself in after being identified as the main suspect in the fatal shooting of two village officials in Kabacan, Cotabato.
On Oct. 24, the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division arranged for Corporal Virgilio D. Magbiray Jr. of the 90th Infantry Battalion to surrender to authorities in Cotabato City. Police allege Magbiray fired a 9mm pistol at brothers Patacpan Maganaka, a village councilor, and Ibrahim Maganaka, a village bookkeeper, during a disturbance at a barangay disco on Oct. 21. The clash reportedly erupted after the dance floor was allegedly stoned, leading the brothers to step in.
After his surrender, Magbiray submitted the firearm and was handed over to the Kabacan Municipal Police Station by Lt. Col. Loqui O. Marco and Brig. Gen. Gremel B. Brual. Brig.
Gen. Edgar Catu emphasized that the law applies equally to all, regardless of rank, and pledged the division’s commitment to due process and accountability. Magbiray now remains in police custody pending further legal action.
Why it matters
The case highlights the military’s accountability to civilian law after a soldier is accused of killing local officials.
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