PNP probes AFP colonel’s death

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started investigating the death of a military colonel at Camp Aquinaldo in Quezon City.

Col. Rolando Escalona Jr., a military lawyer, was found lifeless in his quarters at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters on Nov. 22.

Escalona bore a gunshot wound, PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo confirmed yesterday.

Fajardo said police provided investigative assistance to the AFP, which requested that details of the probe remain confidential.

PNP probers have conducted an initial forensic examination and processed the scene of the incident, according to Fajardo.

Investigators recovered a firearm and six fired cartridge cases at the scene.

Fajardo said ballistics and paraffin tests are ongoing to determine their connection to Escalona’s death.

She said the family of Escalona requested privacy regarding updates on the case.

Fajardo also confirmed that Escalona sustained a gunshot to the body.

She said the recovered firearm matched the injury, but further findings, including autopsy results, are still pending.

The PNP’s scene of the crime operatives are expected to release the probe results this week.

“We are still verifying whether the firearm belonged to him,” Fajardo said.

AFP officials are also reviewing whether closed-circuit television footage at the military camp could provide additional information about the incident. 

The AFP vowed a “thorough, complete and impartial investigation” into the circumstances of Escalona’s death while extending condolences to his family.