Cop dies in accidental firing

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A member of the Iloilo provincial police died in what was believed to be a case of accidental firing in this city yesterday morning.

M/Sgt. Stephen Aguilar, 39, died due to a gunshot to the head, according to a report of the provincial police.

The report said the incident occurred at around 5:30 a.m. at Aguilar’s house in Barangay Cuartero, Jaro district.

Aguilar’s wife told probers she had roused her husband from sleep as he needed to go to work.

She said Aguilar got up and reached out for his firearm tucked under the pillows.

She said the firearm went off, hitting her husband in the head.

The wife said she rushed Aguilar to the Iloilo Mission Hospital, where he was declared dead at around 6:35 a.m.

City police chief Col. Uldarico Garbanzos said the incident was recorded as a case of accidental firing, pending verification of the wife’s statement.

Aguilar was assigned at the provincial police investigation and detective management unit.