Ex-AFP chief dead in apparent suicide

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 5) Former Armed Forces chief and defense secretary Angelo Tomas Reyes who was under the spotlight after being accused of massive corruption died from a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Reyes, 65, died from a bullet through his chest, Health Secretary Enrique Ona told reporters.

"He was dead on arrival (at hospital). They were not able to revive him... as of now, our finding is only one gunshot wound," Ona told reporters.

Ona said an autopsy of the body of the retired general will be conducted to determine if he had committed suicide.

A bullet wound on the left side of the chest near the heart was the cause of death. "Malamang may tama sa puso (The heart was probably hit)," Ona told reporters.

The head of Manila police's eastern district, Chief Superintendent Francisco Manalo, said he believed Reyes had committed suicide.

"Our initial report is that he shot himself," Manalo was quoted by Agence France-Presse as saying.

Reyes was at the grave of his mother at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City when the incident happened.