Manila cop dies in gun accident on his birthday

MANILA, Philippines - Hours after celebrating his birthday by drinking with some friends, a Manila policeman died yesterday when a handgun he had been cleaning went off and a bullet hit him in the chest.

Police Officer 3 Angelo Garcia Agulto was not able to go home to Las Piñas after celebrating his birthday in advance Wednesday night and opted to stay overnight at a friend’s house on Hamabar street in Tondo, Manila, PO2 Jet Tajonera said.

Agulto, who turned 35 yesterday, was cleaning his service firearm at around 12:30 p.m. when the gun went off. 

Tajonera ruled out foul play in Agulto’s death. He said the implements Agulto used to clean his .9mm service pistol were recovered beside his body.

He refused to say if the victim was sleepy or drunk at the time of the accident.