Gun goes off at NAIA: 4 hurt

Four women, including two passengers bound for jobs overseas, were hurt when a policeman accidentally fired his service firearm while surrendering it to an airport security guard at an eatery of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I yesterday.

Sherwena Akmad, 25, a departing passenger of a Saudia Airlines flight was hit by shrapnel in the left arm while Maritess Connell, 28, a passenger of a China Airlines flight was hit in the left leg and left arm. Gaudiosa Villanueva, an employee of the Philippine Treasure concession selling herbal supplements at the NAIA, was hit in the left leg while Maymona Dulin, a well wisher, was hit in the right thigh.

The shrapnel that hit the four women came from a supposed accidental shot fired from a Colt Mark IV caliber .45 automatic belonging to PO2 Gregorio Laso Gale, 43, of the QCPD Mobile Division based at Camp Karingal in Quezon City. The incident took place at the entrance of the WOW restaurant at the third level of the NAIA departure area at around 11:10 a.m.

Gale had accompanied his wife for her flight to Dubai.

The officer was in the act of disarming prior to depositing his service firearm to airport security guards Marvin Carpio and Gina Killip when he unintentionally pulled the trigger.

The resulting shot hit a portion of the lobby that had a steel flooring, causing shrapnel to hit the four women.

The four injured were rushed to the nearby Manila International Airport Authority’s medical clinic for treatment of their injuries.