Rookie police officer commits suicide?
For a still undisclosed reason, a rookie police officer allegedly claimed his own life Sunday morning in Aklan province.
Inspector Bernard Espura of the Aklan Provincial Public Safety Management Company allegedly shot himself inside the bachelors officers’ quarters of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) in Camp Martelino in Brgy. New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.
Based on police booking, “at around 10:30 a.m., prior to the discovery of the body, a muffled gunshot was heard by personnel of the Aklan Crime Laboratory office, which is located beside the quarters.”
Reports claimed that it took sometime before Espura’s body was discovered because personnel thought that there was nothing to the gunfire.
When his body was finally discovered at around 11:15 a.m., reports claimed that Espura was on his body and was holding his wedding picture on his right hand while his gun – a Taurus .9mm pistol with serial number tzf34783– was on his right.
Investigation disclosed that PO1 Meljie Bergalino, member of 6th Regional Public Safety Management Battalion detailed at the APPSMC, discovered the body after he went look for Espura to inquire something.
Personnel from Aklan Provincial Crime Laboratory led by Senor Insp. Robert Layador revealed that the cop shot himself on the right temple. The bullet exited on his left temple.
When his body was processed, smudges and tattooing were seen on the bullet’s entry.
Further, the police report said that, “the gunpowder on his right temple indicates that he was hit at a close range.”
Police investigators also noted that the victim left a suicide note addressed to his “loved ones.”
By loved ones, the note was for his wife, father, mother and uncle.
The note, which bore his name “bernard” and “jhong” and signature, was also found placed on top of his backpack.
In the said letter, Espura was asking for apology to all his loved ones.
Although Espura likely committed suicide, Police Regional Office (PRO) VI operational and plans division chief Senior Supt. Ricardo dela Paz said that they still ordered an in-depth investigation on the case.
Firearms used and alleged suicide note is under the custody of Aklan PCLO for ballistics examination and comparison.
Meanwhile, several observers claimed that Espura took his own life because of some personal problems.
Several days prior to the incident, the cop looked very depressed.
He, in fact, refused to talk to his fellow cops.
The 29-year old Espura also asked for a break from work.
But it was not clear where was he supposed to go. It was gathered that Espura is a resident of San Juan St., Molo, Iloilo City.
He only took his oath as an officer through the PNP’s lateral entry program last 2008.
He graduated summa cum laude from his B.S. Criminology degree at the University of Iloilo in 2001 and a board topnotcher.
