MANILA, Philippines - A soldier being probed for the killing of a 7-year-old girl is facing a separate investigation, this time by the military.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Friday, January 4, that Juan Agus, one of the 4 arrested in Caloocan City in connection with the New Year's eve death of Stephanie Nicole Ella, is a member of the military reserve force with the rank of a sergeant.

Apart from criminal charges, Agus could also be removed from the reserve force if "his negligence is found regarding the report that he handed his gun over to his friend/s who fired it," military spokesman Col Arnulfo Burgos told reporters.

In Pangasinan, Air Force Staff Sgt Ricky Castro is now under the custody of the Philippine Air Force after he reportedly fired his gun during the New Year's celebration, according to Burgos. Castro was based in the 600th Airbase Wing in Clark Air Base, Pampanga. - Rappler.com