DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — A 24-year-old soldier was found dead inside his barracks at the Bravo Company of the 6th Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Division in Barangay Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, on Saturday night, November 8.
The victim was identified as Private John S. Sorongon, a resident of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, and recently reassigned from the Charlie Company of the 57th Infantry Battalion under the 603rd Brigade to the Bravo Company of the 6th IB.
According to the report of Datu Odin Sinsuat Police Chief Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, the incident occurred around 9:16 p.m. and was reported to the municipal police station about 20 minutes later. Responding officers arrived at the scene at 9:40 p.m., where they found Sorongon lying on his bed with a gunshot wound below his chin.
Initial investigation revealed that Sorongon was alone in his room when his superior officer heard a gunshot. A responding corporal rushed to the barracks and found the soldier already bleeding beside his issued T4 assault rifle. Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, Sorongon was declared dead on arrival.
Police recovered Sorongon’s firearm and several loaded magazines from the scene. The Regional Forensic Unit–BAR has been called in to assist in processing the crime scene and conducting further examination.
Authorities are still determining whether the incident was a case of accidental firing, suicide, or foul play. The investigation remains ongoing.