Philippine presidential guard killed in shooting

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - A Philippine Presidential Security Group (PSG) officer was killed in a shooting incident on Tuesday morning within the compound of Malacanang Palace, where the official residence of President Rodrigo Duterte is located, presidential spokesman said.

During the regular press briefing before noon in Malacanang in Manila, Ernesto Abella told reporters that an investigation had been launched into the incident.

"Of course it’s a matter of concern. However, we need to clarify what it was all about. We need to find out exactly what it was," ABS-CBN News quoted Abella as saying.

Abella said he was not aware of the whereabouts of the president when the incident occurred, it said.

The PSG, which protects the president and his family, confirmed that Duterte was not near the palace when the shooting incident broke out.

GMA News reported that Maj. Harim Gonzaga was found dead at around 8.50 a.m. local time (0050GMT) quoting PSG commander Brig. Gen. Lope Dagoy.

Gonzaga's body was found inside his room at the PSG compound, where Duterte's official residence is located, across the Pasig River from the Malacanang Palace.

According to Dagoy, crime scene investigators found no foul play and nobody else was involved in the incident, GMA News said.

The PSG chief, however, could not confirm if it was a suicide or a case of accidental firing.

The PSG officials, according to media reports, would not disclose more details pending the investigation, but said they were set to issue an official statement on circumstances surrounding the shooting incident anytime.