By Jennifer P. Rendon
A member of the Iloilo City Police Office – City Intelligence Unit (ICPO-CIU) died after “accidentally shooting” himself afternoon of June 14.
Reports indicated that 38-year-old Corporal Danilo Muñoz appeared to have been cleaning his firearm when it went off and the bullet hit him.
The incident occurred at Muñoz’s home in Barangay Mansaya, Lapuz, Iloilo City.
The victim sustained a single gunshot wound to his right temple. Prior to the incident, he allegedly asked his wife to buy formula milk and oil to clean his gun.
The cop’s wife took their five-year-old son with her. Upon their return, it was the boy who saw his father slumped on the floor, bathing in a pool of blood.
Punong Barangay Erico Hotillosa reportedly called the Iloilo City Police Station 2 for assistance.
The victim was brought to St. Paul’s Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Investigators found Muñoz’s service firearm and gun-cleaning paraphernalia at the scene where his body was discovered.
Without any evidence to the contrary, “we are inclined to believe that he died of accidental firing,” said Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Iloilo City police chief, though he noted that the investigation is still ongoing.
It was learned that the victim joined the service in 2015.
Coronica mentioned that the CIU leadership had no complaints about the victim’s work ethic.
Muñoz leaves behind a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter.
