Former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes has passed away due to a single gunshot wound to his chest

Former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes who has been embroiled in a recent military scandal has passed away due to a single gunshot wound to his chest in an apparent suicide, reports said.

In a press conference aired lived over QTV Channel 11, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said Reyes was declared dead on arrival at the Quirino Medical Center.

DzMM radio said Reyes was declared dead around 8:30 a.m.

News reports said Reyes shot himself at the Loyola Memorial Park, before his mother’s tomb. A book, “Trump: The Art of the Deal” by Donald Trump was found near Reyes, reports indicated.

Reyes was later rushed to the hospital with no blood pressure and no vital signs, said Ona.

Doctors tried to revive Reyes for some 45 minutes but failed.

“Hindi na maibalik heart rate. May gunshot wound sa left heart, external wound sa likod,” Ona said.

Reyes appeared to have committed suicide, amid the Congress probe on supposed massive corruption in the military.

Reyes is supposed to testify in Tuesday’s House of Representatives committee hearing.

Whistle-blower Heidi Mendoza condoled with the Reyes family and expressed during the committee hearing she is saddened by the news.

“Mabigat po ang aking kalooban ngayon na ganito ang mangyayari,” said Mendoza.

In an unusual twist of fate, Reyes died on President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s 51st birthday.

Reyes was former Secretary of Energy at the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

It was reported that Arroyo arrived at the Quirino hospital.

A representative from the Reyes’ family has asked for privacy and asked the media covering the event to leave.

Reyes is survived by wife Teresita and sons, Pablo, Angelito, Marc, Carlo and Judd.

The Department of National Defense has conveyed sympathies to Reyes’ family.

“The news on the tragic death of former DND Secretary Angelo Reyes comes as a shock to the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Phillippines,” DnD said in a statement posted on the Official Gazette.

File photos by NPPA Images