Cop found shot, dies in hospital

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman was found bathed in his own blood inside his bedroom at his residence in barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning with a bullet wound on the left temple.

PO1 Arnold Lao-ay, 30, single, died an hour after he was taken to the Mactan Doctors’ Hospital.

Lao-ay, before his death, was assigned at the Marcelo Fernan Bridge as a beat policeman.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director P Sr./Supt Rey Lyndon Lawas, in an interview with The Freeman, said the police have discounted suicide as cause of death for lack of proof, although the police will take a look at the possibility that Lao-ay may have accidentally discharged his .45 cal. pistol while cleaning it.

 Lawas said Lao-ay was taken to the hospital by his father who said his son still had a pulse at the time.

Lao-ay died at 10:30 am yesterday.

Lawas said Lao-ay’s father had said that his son had appeared allegedly bothered when he learned he had not been promoted after applying for promotion.

Lao-ay’s father said his son applied for a promotion last month but he found out he was not one of those promoted when the list came out last week. The father said his son from then on would not talk to anyone.

The police have not found any sign of foul play but nevertheless would ask the family to have the cadaver autopsied.

Lao-ay had been a policeman for the past four years now. He had served at the Pusok police station for less than a year.

He worked as a radio operator at the headquarters of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office prior to his transfer to the Pusok police station.

Lawas said almost 50 percent of policemen in Lapu-Lapu City underwent a refresher course in firearm proficiency as well as gun handling safety recently.

The course was made possible through the courtesy of Mayor Paz Radaza who released funds for it.  (FREEMAN)