QCPD station 8 chief dies from gunshot wound

The station commander of the Quezon City Police District station 8 died due to a lone gunshot wound to the chest Saturday night, police said Sunday. Homicide investigators identified the officer as Supt. Jose Rifama Garcia, 51. An investigation into the death of Garcia has been launched, QCPD chief, Senior Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula said. Gatdula said he cannot give details yet because "everything is still being investigated." Garcia’s 15-year-old son, Jerico, told investigators that around 11 p.m. his father suddenly got out of bed and went outside the house. Minutes later, Jerico said he heard a gunshot. Jerico found his father at the back of the house, sprawled lifeless on the floor. The Garcias lived in Veterans Village, Barangay Pasong Tamo, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Garcia was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Malvar General Hospital. Investigators are looking into the possibility that Garcia’s death could be connected to the death of three jeepney barkers whose bodies were found under the Katipunan flyover in September. The three were arrested by Garcia's operatives earlier last month and brought to the Station 8 headquarters. Garcia began his career in the police as a patrolman in 1980. He graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in 1984. - GMANews.TV