Shotgun accidentally kills girl in Sultan Kudarat

COTABATO CITY –– A 10-year-old girl playing with a 12-gauge shotgun with her brother was killed when the gun went off at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Sultan Kudarat.

Col. Noel Kinazo, Sultan Kudarat police director, said Angel Bliss Pututan of Barangay Palavilla, Lutayan died of pellet wounds in her upper torso. Her brother was unharmed.

Their parents were out in the forest looking for food when the freak accident happened, he said.

The police could not say why the victim’s parents had a shotgun at home.

Celia Avanzado, Palavilla village chair, said the children must have thought the firearm was just a toy gun.

Colonel Kinazao cautioned families keeping firearms at home, advising them to turn their unlicensed guns over to authorities to prevent similar accidents.

He also ordered all police chiefs in the province to intensify their collection of loose firearms.

Owners of unlicensed guns could face charges for violation of Illegal Possession of Firearms.

LZB