PNP probing circumstances which led to minor's death after playing with father's gun

The Philippine National Police is conducting an investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of a 12-year-old boy in Bulacan who accidentally shot himself using the gun of his father who is a police officer.

"Definitely merong kakulangan 'yan at 'yan ay part ng investigation. Iniimbestigahan namin kung paano 'yung circumstances, kung paano nagkaroon ng access ang bata sa baril ng kanyang ama," PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Red Maranan said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Titignan natin kung totoong na-secure ba talaga niya ang kanyang firearm. Part ito ng ating administrative investigation," said Maranan when asked about possible charges of negligence on the part of the police officer.

The boy died after accidentally shooting himself with the service firearm of his father which he brought to school on Thursday in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan.

The child was playing with a 9mm Beretta when it suddenly went off.  He was immediately taken to the hospital but later died.

"Tayo ay nalulungkot at nagdadalamhati sa sinapit ng anak ng isang kabaro. Dahil diyan ay nakikiramay tayo sapagkat masakit talaga mawalan ng anak lalo na't sarili mong baril ang nakapatay sa minamahal mong anak," Maranan said.

The PNP official said the incident serves as a reminder to both police officers and the public to observe gun safety guidelines.

"Dahil diyan ito po ay magbibigay ng isang malaking aral sa bawat isa hindi lang sa ating kapulisan kundi sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan na merong iniingatang baril sa bahay," Maranan said.

He added that gun safety is among the topics discussed during the seminar required to be taken by those applying for a License to Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF).

Maranan added that firearms should be kept in a secure place like a cabinet with key, or atop a cabinet to make sure little children will not be able to get them. Gun owners may also put the firearms in a gun safety box with key.

"Dapat nakatanggal ang magazine sa baril habang nakatago sa cabinet o pinagtataguan," he added. —KG, GMA Integrated News