Retired Army reserved officer, 80, found dead

CEBU, Philippines - A retired Army reserved officer was found dead with a gunshot wound on his head inside his house at St. Jude Acres, Phase 2, barangay Bulacao yesterday afternoon.

Police identified the fatality as Lt. Col. Roldan Gonzales, 80.

SPO4 Alex Dacua of the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office said Gonzales’s house help, Josefina Mahinay, 44, found Gonzales’ body sprawled on the floor of the living room at 1:30 yesterday.

Mahinay was reportedly doing her usual chores at the house when she reportedly heard a gunshot wound in the living room, which prompted her to run and check.

Nobody witnessed the shooting for there were only the two of them inside at the house that time. The wife, Dacua said, had a dental checkup with her daughter, who is a dentist.

Mahinay called the Gonzales’ wife and informed her of what happened. Members of the Basak Pardo Emergency Rescue Unit led by barangay captain Dave Tumulak arrived and declared Gonzales dead on the spot, Dacua said.

Gonzales died from a gunshot wound on the right temple, the bullet exiting to the left temple, Dacua further said.

A caliber .38 revolver was found a few inches from Gonzales’ hand, Dacua said. The gun’s cylinder contained an empty shell.

“Di pa ta ka-conclude na suicide kay posible man sad na accidental firing,” Dacua said, adding that there was no foul play on Gonzales’ death.

The family has claimed that Gonzales had been complaining of abnormal waste discharge, but has not mentioned of committing suicide.

Nevertheless, the investigating officer further said Gonzales will be subjected to a paraffin test to determine who fired the gun. – THE FREEMAN