Police checking report of accidental firing at Comelec

Accidental firing at the PICC triggers a commotion at the canvassing of votes of the Comelec sitting as the National Board of Canvassers.

Update

MANILA, Philippines — Police are verifying reports that an accidental firing occurred at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, where the Commission on Elections (Comelec), sitting as National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), was canvassing votes in the midterm polls.

“Pinapaverify pa ‘yung reports… Parang accidental firing,” Police Col. Bernard Yang, commander at Pasay City Police, told INQUIRER.net in a phone call.

At around 7:00 p.m., a loud thud was heard inside the PICC forum where the Comelec has convened as the NBOC for the midterm polls.

Ground security officers told reporters that the noise came from plywood that hit the floor.

Yang said initial reports said no one was hurt from the incident, although a security officer was seen covering his knees after the loud thud.

WATCH: Scenes earlier at the PICC where the Comelec was canvassing votes for the midterm polls, after a gunshot from a caliber .40 pistol was heard at around 7 p.m. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/1lWoGysgmI

— Cathrine Gonzales (@cgonzalesINQ) May 13, 2019

In a press briefing, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez confirmed that the sound was from a caliber .40 pistol that accidentally went off.

“We have armed guards in this facility, and a few minutes ago there was a change in the shift so naglilipat sila ng firearms which means that they needed to draw their weapons para mailipat sa susunod na guards. Unfortunately, in that process nagkaroon ng accidental firing,” Jimenez said in a press conference.

(We have armed guards in this facility, and a few minutes ago there was a change in the shift so they were transferring firearms which means they need to draw their weapons so it can be passed on to the next guards on duty. Unfortunately, in that process, an accidental firing occurred.)

No one was hurt from the incident as the bullet only hit the floor of the facility.

Jimenez said the Comelec would review the safety protocols of its armed personnel after the incident. (Editor: Abe Cerojano)