Soldier dead in accidental shooting

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A soldier died when he was accidentally shot by his cousin at Camp Henry Allen in this city on Thursday.

S/Sgt. Romenick Dawaton, 42, liaison officer of the Northern Luzon Command, was reportedly drinking liquor with his cousin Balmaceda, also surnamed Dawaton, 20, when the victim asked him to get his caliber .45 pistol for safekeeping.

The younger Dawaton reportedly removed the magazine of the pistol, but accidentally pulled the trigger.

Initial investigation showed a bullet pierced Balmaceda’s hand, which ricocheted off the ground and hit the soldier’s chest.