Soldier who survived Marawi siege gunned down by cops

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A soldier in civilian clothes who came from combat in Marawi City was gunned down Wednesday by responding police team after he was mistaken to be a gunman in Aurora town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Police identified the victim as Cpl. Rodillo Torres Bartolome, 33, married, a resident of Barangay Kanipay, Midsalip town, Zamboanga Del Sur and a member of the Philippine Army assigned to the 53rd Infantry Battalion. He was deployed in Marawi City to battle the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group.

Bartolome was shot by responding policemen, PO2 Ronal Zero and PO1 Michael Bullanday, after the latter allegedly drew his .45 caliber pistol.

Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 9, said investigation revealed that Oscar Asuelo, a passenger van dispatcher in Barangay Monte Alegre, reported to the Community Police Assistance Center the presence of a suspicious man packing a handgun on his waist near a store at Purok Magdadaro in the same village about 3:45 p.m.

The two policemen—Zero and Bullanday—immediately responded and arrived at the area aboard their motorcycle.

According to the police, the man drew his .45 caliber pistol towards the responding cops which prompted them to engage.

The trooper sustained gunshot wounds on different parts of his body, which resulted in his instantaneous death.

The cops, later on, discovered that the slain man was Bartolome.

The trooper's family claimed that the victim, who was on his way home, was on leave that time.

Police Inspector Roger Bartiana, officer-in-charge of the Aurora Municipal Police Station immediately requested the Scene of the Crime Operatives to further investigate the incident.

The local police promised to extend assistance to the fallen soldier.