Boy, 5, accidentally shoots younger brother

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A five-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his three-year-old brother in a village of Titay town, Zamboanga Sibugay province, according to police Tuesday.

Police Chief Inspector Rogelio Alabata, spokesman of the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said the incident transpired Saturday about 8 a.m. at Purok Sunflower, Barangay Longilog.

Local police only identified the suspect and his victim through their first names, Renz Mark and Ralph Stephen, for social protection.

Alabata said the suspect accidentally shot his brother using a caliber. 45 pistol with serial number 211343 owned by a certain Ronilo, grandfather of both children.

Police investigation revealed that both the suspect and victim were left playing around the house while their father, a certain Ramil, was cleaning the house.

The two brothers went inside the room of their grandfather where the victim reached for the handgun located on top of the cabinet.

The victim allegedly handed over the gun to his elder brother who subsequently pointed and accidentally shot the victim.

The younger brother, who was hit on the chest, was rushed to the nearby Sibud County Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

 The police recovered the handgun for proper disposition while the young suspect was brought to the municipal social welfare office for socio-psychological intervention.