Suicide or Murder? 9mm pistol found in Baguio SUV death undergoes ballistic tests

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Police are subjecting a recovered 9mm Armscor pistol to forensic and ballistic examination as they investigate the death of a man found with a gunshot wound to the head inside a parked SUV along Marcos Highway on Monday morning.

The man was found inside the vehicle near Km. 3 in Barangay Bakakeng Central at around 9 a.m. on October 5 after the vehicle had reportedly been left parked along the roadway and was causing traffic obstruction.

According to Baguio City Police Office Director PCol. Nixon Laoyan, barangay officials initially went to the vehicle after it was reported as obstructing traffic. They knocked on the vehicle but received no response.

The officials eventually broke a window and discovered the man inside the vehicle.

Responders later confirmed that he had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

A 9mm Armscor pistol was recovered in connection with the incident.

Police have secured the firearm for forensic examination and ballistic testing to determine its possible connection to the shooting and help establish the circumstances surrounding the man's death.

The victim's identity has not been publicly released as authorities continue their investigation.

As of the latest available report, police have not publicly established whether the death was a suicide, homicide or resulted from another circumstance.

The case remains under investigation, with authorities expected to rely on the firearm examination, crime-scene findings and other available evidence in determining what happened.

Police have also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading unverified information while the investigation is ongoing.