PAF soldier dies after shooting self

MANILA, Philippines - An Air Force soldier died on Thursday after allegedly shooting himself inside the barracks of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said it appears that the victim, identified as Airman First Class Jayson Reforsado, 26, had accidentally shot himself on the head while on his way to bed a few minutes past midnight.

“It is initially presumed that it was accidental firing,” Burgos said in a press briefing.

“There is no reason to believe that he was trying to grab a gun from an enemy. Second, they (Reforsado’s colleagues) do not see any reason for him to commit suicide because he did not confide any problem to them,” he added.

Details such as the gun that killed the victim and the location of his bullet wound were not immediately available as or press time.

Soldiers who heard the gunshot saw Reforsado lying on his bed full of blood inside their barracks. The airman was rushed to the Armed Forces Medical Center in V. Luna, Quezon City but died on the way.

“Reforsado’s family and next of kin were already informed of the unfortunate incident,” Burgos said.

Members of the police scene of the crime operatives are now investigating the incident. The military will conduct its own probe to determine the circumstances behind Reforsado’s death.

Reforsado hailed from Bansud, Oriental Mindoro and has been in the service for more than three years.