PAOCTF agent dies in accident

A female member of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) was killed the other night after she apparently shot herself accidentally during a drinking session with other police officers inside a restaurant in Quezon City.

Police believe the death of PO2 Desiree Peñalosa, 32, single, was the result of her being drunk and shooting herself in the left side of the body. She was taken to the Chinese General Hospital where attending physicians pronounced her dead on arrival.

Authorities, however, are making sure there was no foul play.

Peñalosa’s drinking buddies, Superintendent Omar Quirubin, of the PNP-Maritime Group, Inspector Michael Co, of the PNP-Crime Laboratory, Manuel Sanchez, a retired officer of the US Navy, and a certain Gilam Vidanes were detained for questioning but were not considered as suspects.

Reports showed that the incident took place at about 9:30 p.m. at Dencio’s Grill along Scout Albano street near Tomas Morato, where the victim and her friends were apparently having a drinking spree.

According to Inspector Rudy Jaraza, of the Central Investigation Unit, the victim went to the toilet to relieve herself when Mike Brosas, head waiter of the restaurant, heard a gunshot inside the ladies’ room.

He found the bloodied victim sprawled on the floor, and immediately called for help. Peñalosa sustained a bullet wound in the left side of the body which exited through her left hip. She was rushed to the hospital where she expired at about 11:20 p.m. – Matthew Estabillo