PSG OFFICIAL FOUND DEAD IN MALACAñANG

An officer in President Rodrigo Duterte’s elite military security force was found shot dead on Tuesday inside the sprawling presidential compound.

Major Harin Gonzaga, 37, was found by his wife with a gunshot wound to the heart inside his room in the Malacañang compound shortly before 9 a.m. yesterday, said Brigadier General Lope Dagoy, head of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Dagoy said there were no initial signs of foul play or any indication of a struggle but police were still investigating.

The incident took place far from Duterte’s residence inside the compound, Dagoy said.

He assured that the President would remain safe and secure.

He noted that even other PSG members were unaware of the shooting until Gonzaga’s wife found the body.

The wife, who is a sergeant in the security force, said the couple were not facing any problems apart from Gonzaga’s heavy workload, Dagoy told reporters.

Gonzaga was in charge of the security force’s operations and was not one of the president’s personal guards, he added.

Dagoy said Gonzaga’s wife immediately reported the incident to the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco).

A Norinco caliber .45 report- edly owned by Gonzaga was recovered from the crime scene.

A spent shell and ammunition were also found at the scene and are now with the Soco.

“There were no apparent signs of struggle at the scene of the incident. According to Soco, there were also no initial signs of foul play. Maayos naman lahat (Everything was in order),” Dagoy added.

He said the PSG does not want to speculate on the cause of death and will wait for the Soco’s result of investigation.

“We really cannot speculate on the real cause of death. Is it suicide? Accidental firing? We will leave it up to Soco,” Dagoy said.

He cited the statement of Gonzaga’s wife that the official had complained about his “workload.”

“I asked: ‘Is there a problem?’ She said, ‘None, sir. He’s just saying that he has a bunch of workload.’ That’s normal because you’re a PSG member. I don’t think it’s a reason for him to, you know, take his life.

Is it suicide? Accidental firing? We will leave it up to Soco (Scene of the Crime Operatives). BRIG. GEN. LOPE DAGOY Head, Presidential Security Group