ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 11, 2014) – A crew man of a fishing boat escaped after he accidentally shot his companion who eventually died from loss of blood while at sea off Basilan province, just several nautical miles south of Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, police said.
Police said Nonito Batio-on, 18, was shot in the thigh by Edward Hinaldo while cleaning his pistol inside one of the boat’s room. Bati-on, a native of Zamboanga del Norte’s Salug town, died even before reaching Zamboanga City.
“The victim sustained a lone gunshot wound in his left thigh and suffered hemorrhage that caused his death. The incident occurred at the fishing ground of the high seas of Basilan province,” said Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman.
Hinaldo jumped off the boat, FB Voyager 58, upon reaching their base in the coastal village of Cawit for fear of being arrested by the police.
Police recovered Hinaldo’s weapon, a .45-caliber pistol, and authorities are investigating the shooting. Hinaldo’s employer, Oceanic Fishing Company, did not give any statement about the incident. (Mindanao Examiner)
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