Palace motorpool suicide baffles WPD

Homicide detectives of the Western Police District are puzzled why an officer of the Philippine Air Force shot himself inside the Malacañang Palace motorpool on Friday night.

Police identified the victim as Sgt. Charles Baquitran, 44, detailed at the Transportation Maintenance Platoon Motor Pool of Malacañang Palace and a resident of Palmera Homes, San Juan del Monte, Bulacan.

According to a police report, Baquitran was having a round of drinks at the motorpool office with some off-duty officers when without any warning, cocked his service caliber .45 pistol.

Police said Baquitran’s drinking buddies tried to calm him down and tried to take the gun from him.

However, Baquitran allegedly pointed the gun to his left temple and fired. He died on the spot, police said. – Mike Frialde