Abra councilor accidentally shoots daughter dead

BANGUED, Abra, Philippines – A councilor in Tineg town accidentally shot dead his own seven-year-old daughter while he and his wife were grappling for a gun during a fight on Christmas Eve.

Senior Superintendent Armando Laguiwid, Abra police director, said councilor Rey Tandi, 37, is now detained for the death of his daughter, Reyma Jace.

Police said Tandi was fetched by his wife from a drinking spree at the former compound of Cellophil Resources Corp. in Barangay Calaba in this capital town, and a quarrel ensued between them.

Husband and wife grappled for a gun and it went off hitting their daughter in the left chest. The girl died while being rushed to the Abra Provincial Hospital.

Policemen found at the scene a live caliber .45 bullet, a fired .45 bullet, and a caliber .45 pistol loaded with five bullets.

Tandi was one of the controversial political figures in Tineg town. In 2007, suspected communist rebels ambushed him for reportedly leading anti-insurgency drives in the municipality.

Tandi also had figured in intense rivalry with other politicians in Tineg town.