COTABATO CITY — A Philippine Navy-Marine soldier was wounded after an issued rifle accidentally discharged inside the headquarters of the 6th Marine Battalion in Barangay Rosary Heights 9, Cotabato City, on Tuesday morning, September 2.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:55 a.m. inside the unit’s sleeping quarters, according to the initial report of the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO).
The injured soldier was identified as 38-year-old Sgt. Gerald Ejemplar, who sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his rib area. He was immediately brought by personnel of the 6th Marine Battalion to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC) for medical treatment.
The soldier who handled the firearm was identified in initial reports as 29-year-old Cpl. Noe Felization Mama Jr., also a member of the 6th Marine Battalion.
Rifle discharged while being loaded
Based on the initial police investigation, Mama was reportedly preparing his personal equipment when he picked up and loaded his issued MFR 56 rifle.
The firearm was reportedly pointed toward a wall inside their bunker when the trigger was accidentally pulled, causing the rifle to discharge.
The bullet penetrated the bunker’s relatively thin interior wall and entered an adjacent room, where Ejemplar was located. The projectile struck Ejemplar on his left side.
Personnel of the Marine battalion immediately responded and transported the wounded soldier to CRMC for treatment.
Police said the incident was initially considered an accidental discharge, with authorities continuing to establish the complete circumstances surrounding the firing of the weapon.
The MFR 56 involved in the incident has reportedly been placed under the custody of the 6th Marine Battalion as the investigation continues.
Investigation underway
The two soldiers are members of the 6th Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Brigade of the Philippine Navy, which has units operating in Cotabato City and Maguindanao del Norte.
Initial information indicated that Mama is from Barangay Poblacion, Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur, while Ejemplar is from Barangay Nilidan, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.
Authorities have yet to release further details on the extent of Ejemplar’s injuries or his current medical condition.
The incident underscores the potential danger posed by firearms even within controlled military facilities, particularly during the handling, loading, or preparation of issued weapons.
Police and military authorities are expected to determine how the rifle discharged, whether established firearms-handling procedures were followed, and the circumstances that allowed the projectile to penetrate the wall and strike another soldier.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not indicated any initial evidence suggesting that the shooting was intentional.