Raps filed vs. cop over fatal accidental firing in Laguna —PNP

A complaint has been filed against the policeman who accidentally fired his gun that killed one of his colleagues in Laguna, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

“Nakapag-file na po tayo ng karampatang kaso at nakapagbigay na rin po tayo ng police assistance [We have already filed a case and gave police assistance],” PNP officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia said at a press briefing.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told GMA News Online that the complaint filed against suspect Police Corporal George Mervin Cañete Duran is for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Duran is also facing an administrative case, she said.

“Reckless imprudence resulting in homicide po ang ikinaso dun sa pulis na aksidenteng nakabaril sa kapwa niya SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) po. And may admin case din siyang haharapin,” Fajardo said in a text message.

(Reckless imprudence resulting in homicide is the case filed against the police who accidentally shot his fellow SWAT member. He will also face an administrative case.)

Duran said on November 23, they were cleaning their service firearms for an inspection when another person approached him and said they exchanged guns.

Upon the return of his gun, he examined it. However, when he was about to remove the load from the chamber, the gun accidentally went off and hit Police Corporal Fhrank Aldene Yasay Dela Cruz in the right chest.

Dela Cruz was immediately brought to the hospital, but the attending physician declared him dead on arrival. —KBK, GMA Integrated News