Camp Evangelista shooting
On February 11, 2023, a mass shooting occurred inside Camp Evangelista, an installation of the Philippine Army in Cagayan de Oro. Five people died in the incident including the perpetrator.
| Camp Evangelista shooting | |
|---|---|
| Location | Service Support Battalion barracks, Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Brgy. Patag, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines |
| Date | February 11, 2023 1:10 – (PHT) |
Attack type | Mass shooting, mass murder |
| Weapons | M16A2 |
| Deaths | 5 (including the perpetrator) |
| Injured | 1 |
| Perpetrator | Johmar Villabito |
| Motive | Under investigation |
Incident
The shooting occurred at around 1:10 am (UTC+8) at the barracks of the 4th Infantry Division's (4ID) Service Support Battalion (SSBn) in Camp Edilberto Evangelista.[1][2] The camp is an installation of the Philippine Army in Cagayan de Oro.[3]
Private Johmar Villabito, using his own government-issued M16A2, opened fire on his fellow soldiers. Four personnel were killed and one injured by Villabito. Villabito was engaged with two other personnel in a gunfight.[4] One of the two killed Villabito in an act of self defense.[5] The victims held the rank of sergeant, corporal, private first class, and private.[2]
Philippine Army chief Romeo Brawner Jr. visited the camp earlier in the month expressing concern on the rising incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder among soldiers.[4]
Aftermath
The Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police opened a joint investigation to figure the motive of the shooter. The 4ID also conducted its own internal investigation.[5][6] The Army also is looking into possible deficiencies in its recruitment and training process to avoid a similar incident in the future.[7]
References
- Lagsa, Bobby (February 12, 2023). "5 soldiers killed in camp shooting". Manila Standard. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- Sadongdong, Martin (February 11, 2023). "Soldier runs amuck at barracks in Cagayan de Oro camp, 5 dead". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- Unson, John; Relativo, James. "5 soldiers dead after 'mass shooting' in Cagayan de Oro military camp". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- Gallardo, Froilan (February 11, 2023). "Soldier runs amok in CDO barracks, kills four and is killed, too". MindaNews. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- Sablad, Jo Ann (February 11, 2023). "5 dead, 1 wounded in shooting incident in Camp Evangelista". Sunstar. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- Echeminada, Perseus (February 11, 2023). "Shooting rampage kills 5 soldiers inside army camp". Daily Tribune. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- Ombay, Gisselle (February 12, 2023). "Philippine Army to look into gaps in recruitment, training process after Camp Evangelista shooting". GMA News. Retrieved February 12, 2023.