Police Officer 1 Federico Dunuan, 33, assigned at NPD-District Mobile Force (DMF) supply unit, succumbed to a single bullet wound in the right temple.
"It was a simple case of accidental firing," Chief Inspector Jacinto Ramos, NPD-DMF chief, told The STAR.
He ruled out suicide.
PO2 Arnel de Guzman said Dunuan arrived from work at his residence at 1026 Road 1, Tambacan street, Barangay 35, Maypajo, Caloocan City at around 1:30 a.m.
He went directly to the bedroom, where his live-in partner, identified as Lyn Avila, 27, was waiting for him.
Avila told police that after changing clothes, Dunuan removed the magazine from a 9 mm Beretta, his service firearm, put the gun under his pillow and went to bed.
But a few minutes later, Dunuan got up took his gun and put the magazine back before going to the bathroom.
A shot then rang out followed by Dunuan crumpling to the floor.
Avila told police she saw blood oozing from a bullet wound in Dunuan’s right temple. The bullet exited at the left back portion of the head, an examination later showed.
She sought the help barangay officials, who later turned over the case to police.
Unconfirmed reports said the policeman reportedly used his gun to scratch an itchy temple and accidentally pulled the trigger. It was not clear why he had to take his gun to the bathroom.
"We are saddened by Dunuan’s loss for he was a dependable cop," Ramos said.
He said the NPD would give all the necessary support for the slain cop and would have his body escorted by his men to his home province in Itogon, Benguet this afternoon.
Dunuan’s remains were brought to the Universal Funeral Homes yesterday, awaiting for the arrival of his relatives.
NPD director Senior Superintendent Raul Gonzales ordered yesterday a thorough investigation into Dunuan’s death.