A 12-year-old boy died after he accidentally shot himself with the service firearm of his father, who is a cop, at a school in San Jose del Monte (SJDM), Bulacan on Thursday, Jan. 26.
According to Philippine National Police (PNP)-SJDM Chief. Lt. Col. Ronaldo Lumactod, the boy took his father’s firearm, a PNP-issued 9-millimeter handgun, from their cabinet and brought it to his school.
Lumactod said a gunshot was heard inside the school’s comfort room before 6:00 a.m. Thursday where the victim played with the gun loaded with bullets that accidentally fired and hit the boy’s chin.
He was immediately brought to the hospital but was declared dead at 1:00 p.m. the same day.
The victim’s father has a rank of Police Executive Master Sergeant and is assigned in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Lumactod said the father of the victim might face administrative and criminal cases due to negligence.
“Even sila ay military or police or civilian gun holder, dapat mayroon silang, ‘yun bang responsibility to keep their firearms safe from the reach of their children or other person,” he added. GB/Patrick de Jesus-ag
