Cop in Masbate town dies in ‘accidental’ gun discharge

LEGAZPI CITY — A police intelligence officer died when his service pistol reportedly fell by accident and went off while preparing his uniform at his residence in Mobo town, Masbate province on Thursday (Jan. 20) evening.

The police officer was identified as Lt. Col Steve dela Rosa, police intelligence unit chief of Masbate police provincial office, according to Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, the Bicol police spokesperson.

Quoting a police report, Calubaquib said the victim was inside his room at around 10:45 p.m. at his house in Barangay Umabay Exterior when his loaded firearm of yet undetermined caliber suddenly dropped, causing it to discharge and hit his stomach.

The report said that Dela Rosa was rushed to Masbate Medical Mission Group Hospital Service Cooperative but died upon arrival.

The victim’s wife told the police that while her husband was in his room, she suddenly heard a burst of gunfire and saw him sprawled on the floor bleeding when she entered the room.

Scene of the Crime Operatives has yet to submit a report on whether the incident was an accident or foul play involved in the incident.

Along with anti-illegal drug operatives, the victim nabbed a drug suspect who yielded P216,000 worth of suspected “shabu” or crystal meth during a drug sting in Mobo on Thursday afternoon.

Police operatives caught Rolan Duano, 40 of Barangay Tugbo in Masbate City selling shabu to an undercover agent in Barangay Tabuc, at around 3:15 pm.

The suspect yielded 60 grams of shabu, drug paraphernalia, a motorcycle, and cash amounting to P3,540.

Investigators said Duano, tagged as a high-value target, was recently released from the National Bilibid Prison and was detained at the town police custodial facility while awaiting charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.