9-19-2008 Philippines:Lawman says shooting was accidental
MANILA, Philippines – A 23-year-old suspect in a child abuse case was killed when he allegedly tried to grab the service firearm of his police escort early Thursday morning in Manila.
The fatality, Raymund Benedict Burgos, an alleged member of the dreaded Sputnik Gang and a resident of Leyte Street, Singalong in Manila, succumbed to a gunshot wound on the neck.
Burgos was reportedly shot by PO1 Jupiter Tajonera, 34, assigned at the Manila Police District-District Special Police Unit (DSPU) at the Manila City Hall. Burgos was an inmate at the DSPU.
The lawman claimed the suspect tried to grab his gun, according to Chief Insp. Dominador Arevalo, head of the MPD homicide division.
Arevalo said Tajonera voluntarily submitted himself for investigation and surrendered his firearm.
An investigation showed that the incident happened around 4:35 a.m. on the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard near the corner of Kalaw Street in Ermita.
Tajonera, along with PO1 Aurelio Neral III who was driving the patrol multi-cab, was taking Burgos to the Ospital ng Maynila for a checkup.
Senior Insp. Marcelo Reyes, chief of the MPD-DSPU, said that prior to the incident, the inmate complained of severe stomach pains.
Tajonera said he and Burgos were seated behind the driver when the suspect suddenly grabbed his gun, leading to a scuffle inside the vehicle.
The gun accidentally went off, hitting Burgos on the neck, according to Tajonera.
The suspect was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Investigators said they would look further into the case.
..News Source.. by Tina Santos, Philippine Daily Inquirer
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