Patient who shot hospital guard dead in Manila dies

The patient who shot dead a security guard at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMC) in Manila passed away on Wednesday afternoon, according to a Super Radyo dzBB report.

Citing Barangay 428 chairman Teddy Isla, dzBB reporter Jhomer Apresto said the information came from the hospital itself. The patient was a barangay official.

At present, Isla said they are coordinating with the JRMMC to retrieve the patient’s body for burial.

Authorities believe that the patient, who shot security guard Arturo Budlong Jr. dead after taking his service firearm on Monday, is suffering from a mental health condition.

Isla had previously said that the suspect tried to take his own life last Saturday, which prompted his friends and relatives to bring him to the hospital for treatment.

The suspect was discharged on Sunday but was brought back to the hospital after he removed his stitches.

Manila Police District 3 Station Commander Police Lieutenant Colonel John Guiagui said the suspect kept attempting to leave his room while he was confined. When Budlong told him to remain in his room, the suspect grabbed the guard’s firearm and shot him.

The suspect then engaged in a shootout with the responding police officers. He sustained gunshot wounds on his thigh and stomach. —Joahna Lei Casilao/KBK, GMA News