Soldier linked to killing of Cotabato village execs surrenders

COTABATO CITY — The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) facilitated on Saturday, Oct. 24, the surrender of a soldier suspected of killing two village officials in Kabacan, Cotabato, on Oct. 21, the military said.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, the newly installed 6ID commander, identified the suspect as Cpl. Virgilio D. Magbiray Jr., who is assigned to the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion.

Police identified Magbiray as the primary suspect in the killing of brothers Patacpan Maganaka, village councilor, and Ibrahim Maganaka, village bookkeeper in Barangay Lower Paatan, Kabacan.

Maj. Greg Palalay, deputy police chief of Kabacan, said the brothers were managing a village disco event when a commotion broke out at around 1 a.m. on Oct. 21.

The incident reportedly stemmed from the alleged stoning of the dance floor. The brothers intervened, but an altercation allegedly ensued between them and Magbiray, who reportedly shot the victims with a 9mm pistol.

Following the surrender, Lt. Col. Loqui O. Marco, commanding officer of the 90th Infantry Battalion, presented Magbiray to Brig. Gen. Gremel B. Brual, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade.

Catu then directed the soldier’s turnover to the Kabacan Municipal Police Station for appropriate legal proceedings.

“The law applies equally to everyone, regardless of rank or position, and anyone found guilty of violating the law must be held accountable in accordance with due process,” Catu said.

He added that the 6ID remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and respecting the constitutional rights of every individual.

Magbiray also surrendered the firearm allegedly used. He is now under police custody pending appropriate legal proceedings.