Cop injured after “accidental firing”

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman was injured after he accidentally fired his gun while unloading it at his house in Barangay Polambato, Bogo City late Thursday night.

The cop was identified as Police Officer 1 Rino Inso, 30, who is assigned at the San Remegio Police Station. He has been a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) since 2008.

PO3 Ryan Alarde of Bogo City Police Station said the incident took place while Inso was about to sleep at past 11 pm.

Alarde narrated that Inso was unloading his caliber .45 Norinco pistol before supposedly going to sleep when it suddenly went off.

The bullet hit his left leg and was lodged on his calf. Except Inso, who is single, no one else was injured.

The police officer was rushed to the Bogo District Hospital for treatment but was transferred to a hospital here in Cebu City as referred by attending physicians as the bullet reportedly had to be removed.

Alarde said they will continue to investigate the incident and determine if Inso was under the influence of liquor when the incident happened.

Based on their observation, though, when they interviewed Inso at the hospital, the policeman appeared to be responsive and coherent when talking. His friends also alleged that the policeman doesn’t drink.

“But ato gihapong i-investigate. Basin nagkumpiyansa siya or nakalimot sa basic rules maong nahitabo to. (We will still investigate. He might have been careless or may have forgotten the basic rules, which was why it happened),” Alarde said.

The police investigator said that before using a firearm, one must always put in mind that the gun is loaded. Secondly, never put the finger on the trigger if you have no intention to shoot or just remove the magazine. – MIT (FREEMAN)