PCG to probe employee’s suicide

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard will conduct an internal investigation of the death of a civilian employee who allegedly shot himself in the PCG headquarters Wednesday, an official said yesterday.

The PCG’s Internal Affairs Service and Intelligence Service will determine if there was foul play involved in the death of Jean Crisologo, 41, and figure out how to beef up security at the agency, internal audit chief Commander Tito Alvin Andal said.

Crisologo used a .45 caliber pistol owned by Seaman First Class Dennis Guatlo, who left the gun in a bag with an unidentified draftee, according to Andal. Guatlo and the draftee tested negative for gunpowder burns.

Andal said that prior to the incident, Crisologo was absent from work for about two weeks because his uncle died.

On Wednesday, Crisologo approached the draftee and asked to borrow Guatlo’s iPad, which was also in the bag.

Crisologo took the bag and locked himself in one of the rooms. People in the internal audit office heard a gunshot.

Andal said upon his orders, Guatlo forcibly opened the room and saw Crisologo lying on the floor, with a gunshot wound in his chest.

Crisologo had been with the PCG for 15 years.