Benguet rookie cop held in Manila over teenager’s death
MANILA, Philippines—A rookie policeman is in hot water for the death of a teenager he killed accidentally while emptying his gun prior to sitting down with friends for some drinks in Malate, Manila, early Thursday, police said.
Police Officer 1 Cyril de Gracia, assigned to the Health Service Unit of Camp Dangwa Hospital in La Trinidad, Benguet, is currently under detention and investigation at the Manila Police District Homicide section, for the death of David Paul Vea, 19, of San Marcelino Street, Malate.
Preliminary police investigation revealed that De Gracia accidentally shot Vea in the chest in the process of removing the bullets from his 9-mm. firearm.
De Gracia has been in Manila to visit family since December 27.
De Gracia, Vea, and a group of friends were settling down to have some drinks as an “extended Christmas party” at Santa Ana Sarmiento, Anakbayan, Malate, when the accident happened, MPD homicide investigator SPO 2 Milbert Balinggan reported.
De Gracia rushed the teenager to the hospital but Vea had already died from the single gunshot wound, Balinggan said.
