PAF probes officer’s death

A Philippine Air Force (PAF) officer was found dead in his residence in Barangay 183, Pasay City Monday night, reports said.

PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Epifanio Panzo identified the officer as Lt. Col. Jose Gerardo Dayaday, whose relatives found him clutching a pair of religious icons and his service firearm, a .45 caliber pistol. He had a gunshot wound in the chest.

 “Moments (later), he was rushed to the PAF General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by an attending physician,” he said.

Panzo said PAF chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog has ordered a full investigation to determine circumstances that led to the alleged crime and to rule out foul play.

He said that the PAF would conduct its own investigation, on top of the probe being done by the police.

“Witnesses claimed hearing a gunshot from the room where the officer was found. The body will undergo ballistic and paraffin tests,” Panzo said, quoting investigators who rushed to the scene.

He said the PAF will extend its full cooperation and assured Dayaday’s family that his mystery surrounding his death will be solved.     – James Mananghaya