A POLICE officer was disarmed and restricted from Police Station 3 after he was involved in a shooting incident that resulted to the injuries of a minor while he was conducting beat patrol on Lacson Street at Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City early Thursday, May 24.

Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said Police Officer 3 Jully Gabaran will face investigation before the Internal Affairs Service regarding the incident.

On May 24, Gabaran was rendering his duty when he saw three men and a woman suspiciously running towards his direction around 2:50 a.m., despite the implementation of curfew for minors.

He told them to stop but the 16-year-old boy from Barangay Bata allegedly pulled out a weapon from his waist, prompting the policeman to shoot him using his Glock 17 .9mm caliber service firearm.

Gabaran called for assistance and brought the minor to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) while his companions escaped.

The minor is now on a stable condition.

Vargas said police failed to recover a weapon from the minor but Gabaran's action was considered "self-defense" as there was an indication of danger.

However, he will still be held liable for his actions if results of the investigation prove that he had lapses during his duty.

Vargas said they welcome the decision of the minor's family if they will file a criminal complaint against Gabaran.

"We will assist them," she added.