Boy, 2, hurt in killing of security officer in Davao del Sur

DIGOS CITY, Philippines – A member of the civil security unit of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, was killed while his two-year-old son was hurt following an attack by three motorcycle-riding gunmen on Wednesday night.

Senior Insp. Reniel Raotraot, Magsaysay police chief, said Leonardo Bernaldez, 43, was with his son while waiting for his wife in the town’s Barangay San Miguel when the gunmen struck.

The men on a motorcycle immediately fired at Bernaldez, who tried to run.

“He was able to run for a few meters, even if he was already hit, after the gun of one the assailants jammed,” Raotraot said.

He said another gunman fired more shots at the victim and killed him.

Raotraot said Bernaldez’s son might have been hit during the initial shooting.

The boy was rushed to a hospital by responders, he said.

The police recovered at least 11 empty .45-caliber shells at the crime scene.

Raotraot said they were looking for eye witnesses to help in identifying the perpetrators.

“We are looking into all possible angles over the death of Bernaldez,” PO3 Ian Ildefonso, the officer-on-case, said.