Sunday, December 16, 2007 Bolo-wielding man terrorizes Poro town
A MAN who reportedly suffers from a nervous breakdown caused alarm in the town of Poro, Camotes Island, after he brandished a bolo and almost attacked a town councilor last Friday.
Gerardo “Dexter” Loon, 54, began running around Barangay Teguis about 2 p.m., scaring neighbors with his bolo.
This prompted his nephew Junboy Loon to call police for assistance.
PO1 Patrick Mangubat and PO2 Roger Estrera were sent to the area accompanied by Barangay Councilor Nilo Locañas to calm him down.
Gerardo refused to cooperate and continued walking around with bolo in hand.
As he reached the town proper, policemen warned bystanders and homeowners to stay indoors in case Gerardo decided to attack.
It was then he ran into Municipal Councilor Emilianito Borlasa, who also joined in the efforts to convince him to drop his weapon.
Gerardo still refused and proceeded to the public market.
Police were right behind him, asking him to stop.
Second incident
This irked Gerardo, who suddenly turned around to face them.
Pointing to them and making the sign of the cross, Gerardo wielded his bolo and ran for Borlasa, prompting PO1 Mangubat to shoot Gerardo in the foot.
Gerardo was taken to the Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital, but was later transferred to a private hospital in Cebu City to undergo operation.
SPO1 Ruben Garciano, acting Poro police chief, told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday that it was not the first time that a complaint has been lodged against Gerardo.
“It was the second time we responded to a call against him but the last time he didn’t get violent,” Garciano said in Cebuano.
Garciano explained that Gerardo suffers from a nervous breakdown and his problem sometimes arises unexpectedly.
His relatives though, will not file formal complaints against him even if they are the ones who often call for help.
Garciano said Gerardo’s wife works overseas.
He said Gerardo often claims that someone is out to kill him, which is why he often roams around with a knife or a bolo.
Police are preparing cases of alarm and scandal and possession of a deadly weapon against Gerardo. (MEA)
