one police officer, two civilians hurt in accidental firing in Iloilo City

Miami
November 12, 2008
Story: one police officer, two civilians hurt in accidental firing in Iloilo City

A police officer and two civilians applying as policemen were reportedly injured after a rifle being tested accidentally went off inside the Philippine National Police camp in Police Regional Office 6.

The incident occurred at around 11:00 am of November 11, 2008 during the conduct of drug test and fingerprinting to the 330 PNP applicants in the regional crime laboratory office in region 6.

The camp of Region 6 is Camp Martin Delgado which is located in Iloilo City.

Based on initial report, Senior Inspector Hilarion Roga, firearm examiner, test fired one 5.56mm rifle with serial number 1887488 at the bullet recovery box located at the office garage, when it accidentally fired which resulted to the wounding of PO1 Loen Cachila, fingerprint examiner and two PNP applicants identified as Hernafe Barrera and Sally Mar Caloyloy, both residents of Capiz.

In a phone interview, Roga said the rifle is subject for test firing. He said, the first time he tested it, there was no problem occurred. He aimed the rifle at the crime lab’s bullet recovery box then fired. On its second time, the gun did not fire. He checked on the problem, pointing the rifle at the ground. When he is about to checked on the bullets it accidentally went off hitting the pavement.

Upon hitting the pavement (made of stone), the stone wreckage went into different direction, hitting three persons.

The rifle is subject for test firing because its owner wants to avail the PNP implemented firearms amnesty program which will expire on November 14, 2008, Friday.

The three victims were taken to Regional Health Service 6 for first aid and were subsequently brought to the Iloilo doctor’s Hospital for further treatment.

Only last Monday, a rifle grenade accidentally exploded while they are having commando training for Special Action Force in Philippine National Police Academy in Camp Castaneda in Silang, Cavite causing the death of PO2Manio Carido and 12 other injured.