Gunman shoots soldier dead while singing in birthday party

June 30, 2018

A Philippine Army soldier was shot while Jon Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses” at the birthday party Friday afternoon in Bantay, Cabaroan, Tayum in Abra, police said Saturday.

Sergeant Antonio Alvarez, who is assigned at the 24th Infantry Battalion, was  asked by the birthday celebrant, to sing.

The gunman came from behind and shot Alvarez on his head, Tayum police chief Senior Inspector Ivan Soriano said.

The soldier died, while the suspect who was identified by police as Ivan Christopher, fled and is being hunted by police.

It was not clear if the New Peoples Army was behind the killing. DMS