A policeman who was shot by a retired police officer is still in critical condition while his colleague, who was also injured, was traumatized after the incident.

Senior Insp. Albert Sy, chief of Binalbagan Municipal Police Station, yesterday said Police Officer 1 Ryan Api, 28, is still confined at Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Bacolod City.

Api was wounded in his abdomen after he was shot by retired Senior Police Officer 1 Rene Nobleza, 60, formerly assigned at Himamaylan City Police Station Wednesday evening.

Nobleza was killed after he was shot by Police Officer 2 Julius Bitgue, 36.

Sy said Bitgue, who suffered wounds after he was assaulted and bitten by Nobleza, was traumatized and was advised to relax.

The two policemen responded to a complaint of Nobleza’s wife, Wilma, that her husband was hurting their child.

When they arrived, Nobleza approached them and dragged his wife, who was on board the police vehicle, Sy said.

The woman, who was in tears, refused to leave the police vehicle but her husband, obviously drunk, still dragged her and ordered the police officers to leave.

Api told him to calm down, but Nobleza shot him. Bitgue responded and tried to seize Nobleza’s gun, but his own firearm fell to the ground.

Although Nobleza attacked him Bitgue eventually got hold of his firearm and fired at the suspect.

Nobleza was declared dead by the attending physician at the municipal infirmary.

Sy said the incident has a big impact on Bitgue because Nobleza is also close to him, and it was not his intention to kill him.

He said they will assist Bitgue in his own recovery before he will be advised to report to the station.

Nobleza’s family has not visited the station yet after the incident, Sy said.

Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Samuel Nacion, officer-in-charge of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said they also extended financial assistance to the family of Api.