Cop found dead at Camp Crame

MANILA, Philippines - A policewoman was found dead in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory at Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday.

Inspector Romelou Medina, 35, was found with a gunshot wound in her right temple by another police officer in the laboratory’s finance office at around 7:30 a.m., according to PNP Crime Laboratory director Chief Superintendent Liza Sabong.

Responding police officers found Medina’s .9mm Tanfolio pistol and an empty shell near her body.

Medina’s husband, Nelson, a security guard at a Pasig City hospital, went to Camp Crame upon being informed of his wife’s death, Sabong said.

Sabong said Medina used to be assigned at the PNP Crime Laboratory’s finance office with a rank of Police Officer 3 until a month ago, when she was promoted and detailed to the Manila Police District’s Crime Laboratory for her on-the-job training.

Medina, a licensed criminologist, was given a one-rank promotion after she availed of the PNP’s lateral entry system.

Sabong said no one can ascertain what time Medina arrived at Camp Crame. “Perhaps she came here to visit some of her friends,” she said, noting that Medina often visited the PNP Crime Laboratory’s finance office to help out with doing the vouchers, which was her job prior to her promotion.

 Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, spokesman of the office of the PNP chief, said further investigation will be conducted to determine if Medina committed suicide.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is handling the case.