Manila  - A despondent army sergeant killed three of his comrades in a shooting spree inside an army camp in the Philippine capital, an army spokesman said Thursday.

One soldier also was wounded when Sergeant Elias Tial ran amok late Wednesday inside their barracks in Fort Bonifacio in Manila's Taguig City, Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner said.

Brawner identified the fatalities as Captain Benito Ramos, First Lieutenant Gerald Fuentes and Master Sergeant Eliseo de la Cruz.

De la Cruz died on the spot while Fuentes died upon arrival at a nearby hospital. Ramos died Thursday while undergoing treatment at hospital.

Dionilo Aragon, a senior non-commissioned officer wounded in the shooting spree, remained in serious condition, Brawner said.

Brawner said the suspect, whose father died Saturday, escaped after the incident but the M16 rifle used in the shooting was recovered by his superior.

Police have launched a manhunt, and Brawner said the army would extend its full cooperation in the investigation. (dpa)