Gun expert: Jolo's gunshot wound 'self inflicted'

MANILA, Philippines — Gun experts have a theory about Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla's "accident" while cleaning a firearm.

ProGun Philippines acting secretary general Ernesto Tabajura believes it is unlikely that the young vice governor accidentally shot himself on the right side of the chest while cleaning his handgun.

"Based on the report, based dun sa trajectory ng baril, dun sa tama niya sa chest, feeling ko it was self-inflicted," Tabujara said in an interview on ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda on Tuesday.

Tabujara, a lawyer, said the position of the gunshot wound gives rise to questions.

"Dahil usually kapag humahawak ka ng baril, usually naka-point away sa tao. Ngayon kapag tinamaan ka sa chest ... medyo weird yung position, medyo [kakaiba]," he said.

He cited a case he handled in 1993 where parties alleged the victim, who was shot in the head, committed a self-inflicted injury or suicide.

"Kasi kapag hinahawakan mo yung baril, paturo, palayo doon sa katawan mo e, unless na deliberate," Tabajura explained.

He said about 250 other Filipino gun enthusiasts also share his theory.

"Na imposible na matamaan ka doon sa area na 'yon, usually sa paa, nakaturo sa baba, or sa hand mo, pero doon sa chest dapat nakaturo talaga yung baril sa'yo," he said.

"O kaya kung meron mang aksidente, napaka-kakaibang aksidente nun. Baka ibang tao, 'di natin alam," he added.

On Tuesday, Jolo was visited by his father, detained Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., after the court granted him a five-hour reprieve from detention.

Jolo, whose condition is still being monitored after Saturday's incident, was confined at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

His lawyer, Ramon Esguerra, said doctors worry of continuous bleeding in Jolo's chest cavity due to trauma from the lungs.