The Suicide Squad

On April 25, 2008, the Inquirer posted a report about the suicide of an army colonel.

The body of a bemedalled colonel has been found in the Army headquarters with a gunshot wound in the head, and police investigators are talking suicide.

According to a report received by the Army at around 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Col. Roberto Caldeo, 48, was found lifeless in his quarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said.

A follow-up report revealed that Col. Caldeo was the third veteran of the 2000 Basilan clash to commit suicide.

Aside from Colonel Roberto Caldeo, a sergeant and a lieutenant of the elite unit allegedly also took their own lives years after the three-day assault on Puno (Mt.) Mohaji in Isabela City in late April 2000, according to a Scout Ranger junior officer who was part of the operation.

Caldeo commanded the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, which was tasked to assault Puno Mohaji to rescue dozens of teachers, students, and a Catholic priest held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf.

Another junior officer in the Rangers who was stationed in Basilan at the time, said the three soldiers could have been driven to suicide because of depression over the assault, in which six soldiers were killed and 50 wounded. More than 20 Abu Sayyaf fighters were also killed.


THE SUICIDE NOTE
Written on a legal sized bond paper were Caldeo's last words: “Patawarin niyo ako sa lahat ng pasakit at kahihiyan na dinulot ko sa inyo. Hirap na hirap na ang kalooban ko at ito na lang ang tanging paraan para matapos ang paghihirap ko. Mahal ko kayong lahat. Paalam. Robert. [Forgive me for all the pain and shame I may have caused you. The pain within me is unbearable and this is the only way I can end my suffering. I love you all. Farewell. Robert]. ”

Investigators explained that a suicide is usually caused by extreme loneliness anchored on unresolved personal problems.

THE BALLISTICS REPORT
A ballistics test showed the spent .45 caliber shell recovered from the scene was fired from the pistol of the same caliber found near Caldeo’s body.

Although tests showed both Caldeo's hands were found negative for gunpowder nitrates or residue, “I don't think it would affect our findings that it was a suicide,” Corpus added.

Curious.


READ THE COMPLETE REPORTS AT:

1
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20080425-132587/Army-colonel-found-dead-with-gunshot-wound-in-head

2
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080425-132703/Comrades-Caldeo-3rd-vet-of-2000-Basilan-clash-in-suicide