Police official accidentally shoots himself in stomach

CEBU, Philippines – One of Cebu City’s most celebrated police officers was hurt in what has been reported as a freak accident when his gun went off and he hit himself on the stomach.

Injured was Chief Insp. George Ylanan, chief of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of Cebu City Police Office.

Ylanan was getting off his vehicle outside the departure area of the Mactan Cebu International Airport when the accident happened at shortly past midnight yesterday.

The police officer, who was sending off a relative, reportedly pulled out his caliber .45 pistol from his waist to leave it inside the vehicle when it went off.

Ylanan was first rushed to the Mactan Doctors Hospital, but was later transferred to Chong Hua Hospital here in Cebu City where he underwent an operation.

Sources said that Ylanan is now in a stable condition after the surgery.

Sr. Supt. Mariano Natuel, director of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said that he learned about the incident through his officers, who took the victim to the hospital.

Natuel said that Ylanan was with his wife that time.

Ylanan was conscious when he was taken to Chong Hua Hospital and was even able to talk to the policemen, but refused to give all the details.

The bullet hit Ylanan’s belly just above the navel and was stuck in there.

CCPO Director Patrocinio Comendador said that he was also able to talk to Ylanan by cellular phone shortly before the officer was wheeled into the operating room.

Comendador, who believes that there was no foul play on the incident, said that Ylanan also has the right to keep mum on the details of the incident.

CCPO will however still coordinate with LLCPO in the investigation.

Chief Supt. Federico Terte, director of Police Regional Office-7, directed Comendador to conduct a thorough investigation on the incident to determine what really happened and to also erase doubts from the public about what really happened.

Terte also called on all police personnel to be extra careful in handling their firearms.

Meanwhile, Chief Insp. Jonathan Abella, chief of City Intelligence Branch, was appointed by Comendador as the Officer-In-Charge of IDMB while Ylanan recuperates at the hospital. — Niña G. Sumacot/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)