4 hurt as MRT guard's shotgun accidentally goes off

Four people were injured after a shotgun of a security guard at a Metro Rail Transit (MRT) station accidentally went off Thursday. Light Rail Transit Authority spokesman Hernando Cabrera said the incident occurred at 10 a.m. at the MRT's GMA-Kamuning station in Quezon City, radio dzBB reported. Citing initial reports reaching him, Cabrera identified the injured as security guard Lourd Abellar; and passengers Gaspar Malanday, Ronel Palano and Mary Ann Orosco. He said Abellar was rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center while the three others were rushed to the Pasay General Hospital. A separate report on dzRH radio quoted Cabrera as saying the passengers were boarding an MRT train when the shotgun of security guard Cecilio Belleza Jr. went off. The shot caused a brief commotion where the passengers pushed each other. The three passengers learned they were injured only after the train had left the GMA-Kamuning station. Cabrera said the security agency contracted by the MRT will shoulder the hospitalization expenses of the injured. "Yung guard na involved under custody siya ng Philippine National Police (The guard whose firearm went off is in police custody)," he added in an interview on dzRH. He also said the LRTA will inspect guards' shotguns and review the guards' performance and procedures.— KBK, GMA News