KIDAPAWAN CITY — Authorities here on Monday reported that a 13-year-old girl died after a police officer accidentally hit her during the indiscriminate firing of his firearm amid an altercation with relatives in Sitio Mateo, Barangay Berada on Sunday night.

Kidapawan City Police director Lt. Col. Dominador Palgan Jr. identified the suspect as Corporal Roy Maangue, a police intelligence officer assigned to the Magpet municipal police.

Initial police investigation revealed that Maangue was having a drinking spree with some of his relatives around 10 p.m. when a heated argument ensued, during which the suspect fired his gun multiple times in various directions.

"Accidentally, one of the fired bullets hit the minor victim nearby, specifically in her throat," Palgan said, adding that the suspect used his government-issued 9mm Glock pistol in the shooting.

The victim was brought to the nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.

Maangue was arrested by responding police officers in his home after the incident and Palgan said the suspect could be charged with "reckless imprudence resulting in homicide" before the court.

"We have already informed the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service of the incident and on our end, we guarantee that no special treatment will be given to the suspect," Palgan said.