PNP says ‘accidental firing’ caused death of cop in Angeles operation

FILE PHOTO: PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo answers questions from reporters after a media briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, in this file photo on April 25, 2023. INQUIRER.net / Faith Argosino

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday confirmed that a “accidental firing” occurred during the antikidnapping group (AKG) operation in Angeles City in Pampanga province involving Chinese victims.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said a bullet from a police personnel killed Police Staff Sergeant Nelson Santiago and injured Police Chief Master Sergeant Eden Accad.

AKG’s operation stemmed from a report by a Chinese police attaché that kidnappers demanded 500,000 yuan or P8 million as ransom for the two Chinese victims, who are residents of Makati City. Both victims were rescued while the two suspects were also arrested in Angeles City.

READ: Cop dies in gunfight with Chinese men who allegedly abducted compatriots

Fajardo said the acciden occurred during the “clearing operation” after the arrest inside the apartment, which was also dark at that time.

Three personnel, including Santiago and Accad, were still inside the area when a team of police entered the premises, one of whom accidentally pulled the trigger of a Galil rifle with 5.56 mm caliber.

“Ito pong member ng entering team ay may nakita na baril na nakatututok po at accidentally napindot niya yung trigger, at ang una pong tinamaan ay ‘yung wounded, yung kasalukuyan pong naka-confine,” Fajardo said in a press conference.

(The member of the entering team saw a gun and he accidentally pressed the trigger and the wounded personnel was first hit, the one who is currently confined.)

“Lumusot po ‘iyon, nag through and through yung [bala] kay Accad at yung bullet po na iyon ay lumusot sa likod niya at yun po ang tumama kay Sgt. Santiago, yun po ang naging resulta, naging fatal po,” she added.

(The bullet went past him and through and through the bullet passed at Accad’s back and that same bullet struck Sgt Santiago, and that was the result; it became fatal.)

According to Fajardo, the gunshot hit Santiago’s chest, lungs and aorta, which proved to be fatal.

Fajardo said the policeman, with a rank of patrolman, rushed the victims to the hospital and admitted that he accidentally shot the victims.

“He came forward at inamin niya mismo na siya ang mismong nakatama ng baril,” Fajardo said.

(He came forward and admitted that he was the one who pressed the trigger.)

Fajardo said the personnel has since undergone inquest proceedings and is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injury.

The suspect, currently detained in AKG headquarters in Camp Crame, will also face administrative charges, according to her.

Mary Rose Santiago, the wife of the killed policeman, on Saturday slammed authorities for what she called a “hocus focus” on her husband’s death.

READ: Wife of cop who died in Pampanga op blames policeman for his death

“Mahal na mahal niya trabaho niya tapos ang papatay lang din sa kanya ay katropa niya po,” she said over dzBB interview.

(He loved his job so much, but the one who ended up killing him is his own colleague.)