BACOLOD CITY – A three-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed by his two-year-old cousin in Barangay Bunga, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental on Thursday, March 19.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office said the victim and his cousin found a firearm outside the victim’s house.
They assumed it was a toy gun and took it inside the victim’s room to play.
The cousin accidentally pulled the trigger and hit the victim in the chest.
The victim was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.
No other details were disclosed by the police upon the request of the family who appealed for privacy during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was found dead in Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, March 18, a day after an encounter with the military in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Tuesday, March 17.
Police Major Ryan Villasario, Moises Padilla police chief, identified the fatality as Pagat, a resident of Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City.
Barangay officials informed the police about the discovery of the decomposing body on Thursday, March 19, prompting authorities to respond and verify the report.
Villasario said Pagat was among the NPA rebels engaged by the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in the boundaries of the two villages.
Pagat’s remains have been claimed by his family.