Cop “kills” self in front of pal

CEBU, Philippines - A policewoman assigned to the Mambaling Police Station and still undergoing Field Training Program reportedly committed suicide yesterday morning at the house of her policewoman friend in Urgello corner Ascension streets, Cebu City.

Police Officer 1 Heide Garcia, was pronounced dead at the Sacred Heart Hospital after she suffered a single gunshot wound to the left side of her chest using a Glock 17 pistol issued to her friend PO1 Cyrelle Marie Bayate assigned at the Parian Police Station.

Senior Police Officer 4 Rey Cuyos, homicide investigator, said Garcia was in the room of PO1 Bayate around 9 a.m. yesterday when the incident happened.

Police Officer 1 Bayate said she was putting on her uniform to report for work and her service firearm was on top of the bed when Garcia allegedly took it, cocked it and shot herself.

But Cuyos said based on their investigation PO1 Bayate, was talking to someone over her cellular phone just before the incident. He added Garcia asked PO1 Bayate who she was talking to and asked her to put the caller on loudspeaker.

When PO1 Bayate allegedly did not do so, Garcia grabbed the gun from the bed, cocked it and pointed it at her chest.

PO1 Bayate said she begged Garcia not to shoot but Garcia squeezed the trigger anyway. The bullet tore into her chest and exited out her back. PO1 Bayate called for help and brought Garcia to the Sacred Heart Hospital around where doctors tried to revive her to no avail. She was declared dead by the attending physicians around 10 a.m. yesterday.

PO1 Bayate’s father SPO1 Cirilo Bayate said he was about to eat breakfast with his daughter but was just shocked when he heard a gunshot and his daughter shouted for help.

Personnel from Fuente Police Station led by Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu responded to the alarm and held PO1 Bayate in custody after the incident. Tiu called the Scene of the Crime Operation Team of the PNP Regional Crime Laboratory-7.

Tiu said that a deeper investigation is needed because the gun involved was issued to a policewoman while the victim is also a policewoman.

The SOCO operatives recovered the Glock 17 with five live rounds and an empty shell from the room of PO1 Bayate.

Tiu added they are still not sure if what happened was a case of murder, accidental firing or suicide.

He told The FREEMAN that both Bayate and Garcia were subjected to a paraffin test yesterday to clear all suspicion. The results will be available Monday yet.

Senior Police Officer 1 Bayate said that Garcia and his daughter were very close friends and they were classmates in college. There were also rumors that the two were even lovers, although Garcia is married to a policeman assigned in Bohol and they have children.  Mambaling Police Station desk officer SPO3 Sean Colobio said Garcia did not appear to have any problems.

“Ok ra man to siya, diri wa may problema. Ang duty niya panghapon 4 p.m. to 12 midnight sa ilawom sa Mambaling flyover naa man mi outpost didto,” Colobio said.

As of press time yesterday PO1 Bayate was still under police custody while homicide investigators and SOCO personnel are still investigating the incident.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)