Gun goes off accidentally at PICC as voting closes

MANILA, Philippines — A lone gunshot-liked sound was heard at the Philippine International Convention Center, where canvassing of votes for nationally-elected positions will be done, an hour after polling closed Monday.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez confirmed that the sound heard was an accidental gunshot. According to Jimenez, there was no damage to property and no injury to anyone.

"We have armed guards in this facility and a few minutes ago there was a change of the shift so naglilipat sila ng firearms, which means they needed to draw their weapons para malipat sa susunod na guard. Nagkaroon ng accidental firing. No one was hurt," Jimenez said in a press briefing.

The misfire occurred when the guards at the Comelec headquarters changed shifts shortly after 7 p.m. The security personnel involved in the incident is now under the custody of the poll body.

According to reports on the ground, the sound was heard at around 7 p.m. Security personnel at the PICC refused to answer questions from the media about the incident.

"Wala naman pong nangyari (Nothing happened)," a guard initially told members of the media.

Ambulance siren also heard within the vicinity.

Meanwhile, security officers continue to cover the suspected area where the lone gunshot was heard. @PhilstarNews #Election2019 pic.twitter.com/B3KpfSQWeG

— Rosette Adel (@rosette_adel) May 13, 2019

.@jabjimenez said he doesn’t know what happened: I’ll let you know, he said. @PhilstarNews #Election2019

????: Erwin Cagadas Jr. pic.twitter.com/rTAwzVZW8s

— Rosette Adel (@rosette_adel) May 13, 2019

A Comelec employee said a guard may have misfired his gun while a security officer denied that it was a gunshot.

"May bumagsak lang po (Something just dropped)," a security officer said.

Southern Police District Chief District Operations Clarence Gomeyac said the police force are still verifying the sound heard. He refused to verify whether the sound heard was from a plywood or gunfire @PhilstarNews #Election2019 pic.twitter.com/kLWOxKxZOJ

— Rosette Adel (@rosette_adel) May 13, 2019

The Comelec convened as the National Board of Canvassers at the PICC at around 4 p.m. to start the canvassing of votes for the 2019 midterm elections.

The body is composed of Comelec chair Sheriff Abas, Commissioners Al Parreno, Luie Tito Guia, Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo and Antonio Kho Jr. — Patricia Lourdes Viray with reports from Rosette Adel