Bird hunter killed in ‘accidental gun firing’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A man who went on an early morning bird hunting in Maasin, Iloilo died due to alleged accidental gun discharge.

Reniel Macaya, 24, a resident of Sitio Udyungan, Barangay Dagami, Maasin, succumbed to a gunshot wound on his chest.

According to reports, Macaya and his friend Mark Anthony Agarin, 24, went bird hunting late evening of May 16.

At around 1 am Wednesday, they were trudging in a creek at Dagami village when the victim allegedly slid and lost balance.

He fell and the 12-gauge homemade shotgun (pistol type) in his belt bag went off.

The shrapnel pierced his chest and he was believed to have instantly died.

But responders still rushed him to the Rural Health Unit where he was declared dead.

His father, Freddie Macaya, later turned in Reniel’s firearm.

Captain Jayson Mausig, Maasin police chief, said the victim may have pinned the gun’s hammer causing it to go off.

But Mausig said the case would still be investigated.

However, the victim’s family already expressed disinterest in pursuing the case.

“So far, we found no reason to believe that there was a foul play,” Mausig said.