Metrobriefs

Hubby ‘toyed’ with gun, shot self, widow says

A man reportedly shot and killed himself by accident Thursday night at his Quezon City residence, his wife claiming that his pistol went off as he was “cleaning and toying” with it. Quoting the widow, police said Noel Maniulit, a 40-year-old office worker, was cleaning his .45-cal. pistol around 10:30 p.m. at their house on Kitanlad Street, Barangay Tatalon. Maniulit repeatedly pointed the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger just for kicks, bothering his wife, Marilen, who was then watching TV, said PO3 Erickson Isidro. She warned him but was ignored, until the gun—which  turned out to be still loaded—suddenly went off, hitting him in the head. Maniulit was brought by Marilen and his brother Emmanuel to St. Luke’s Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The widow’s claims regarding the cause of death remained under investigation as foul play had not yet been ruled out by the police, who were also checking if the gun was licensed. Julie M. Aurelio

Port workers’ row: Knife in dead man’s chest

A truck dispatcher was found dead, with a knife still sticking out of his chest, at his workplace in Manila’s Port Area early Friday. The Manila Police District (MPD) said the victim, 53-year-old Edwin Cabilao of Truck Watch Cargo Movers on 16th Street, was last heard having an argument with a man initially identified as “Hapon” around 3 a.m. The company later told police that Hapon referred to Sabino Yap, a resident of Malabon City and a coworker of the victim. SPO2 Milbert Balinggan said Yap was considered a suspect based on an account given by a storekeeper who heard the two men having a heated exchange at the truck parking area, with Cabilao shouting: “Labas d’yan! (Get out of there!)” Cabilao was found stabbed dead minutes later. Maricar B. Brizuela