The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) yesterday announced revised rules covering the use of rifles following the murder of a soldier and the theft of his rifle by an unknown assailant earlier this month.
Soldiers will now carry live ammunition while standing on guard with rifles, the reverse of the past practice that saw rifle carriers banned from holding live ammunition to prevent guardsmen from committing suicide.
On Feb. 2, Private First Class Wu Cheng-chung (
Wu was carrying a rifle but did not have enough time to get access to live ammunition, which, as dictated by the regulations, was being held by a colleague also on guard at the gate.
The handgun used in the shooting was later found to have been stolen from a policeman two years ago in Hualien.
Police have launched a manhunt for the unidentified gunman who fled the scence of the crime after grabbing Wu's standard-issue rifle.
At a press conference held yesterday, CGA Deputy Director Yu Chien-tzu (
"We are making the change for the purpose of providing greater security to members of the administration," he said.
"We will also strengthen the training of soldiers in the use of rifles so that they can respond better to emergency situations."
Meanwhile, Yu said the administration has sent investigators to Hualien to assist police with the murder case.
"The police have identified several local people as possible suspects for the murder. Details are not available since the police do not discuss investigation processes," Yu said.
Relatives of the murdered soldier, who came from an aboriginal tribe in Hualien, have been given NT$6.69 million by the CGA in compensation, Yu said.
Following the shooting it was discovered that Wu should not have been posted on guard duty.
He had been sent for a reformatory education at a military jail before.
Any soldier with a previous criminal record is not allowed to stand on guard with a rifle, according to regulations.
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