A MAN who was reportedly drunk was injured after he was allegedly shot by a policeman whom he attacked with a bladed weapon in Barangay Talaban, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental Monday night, January 21.
Wounded was Ronel Tañedo, 26, of the said village.
Investigation showed that a store owner called for police assistance when Tañedo failed to pay for the beer he ordered.
Police Officer 1 Reynald Villacarlos arrived at the area and approached Tañedo.
He identified himself as a police officer, but the suspect suddenly attacked and attempted to stab him several times.
The police officer fired a warning shot. However, Tañedo continued assaulting him prompting him to fire at the suspect, hitting his right leg.
Tañedo was rushed to a hospital in Bacolod City while Villacarlos was unharmed.
Police recovered from Tañedo a 10-inch bladed weapon.
Chief Inspector Edison Garcia, public information of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said Villacarlos was placed under police custody after the incident.
In the initial investigation, it indicated that he performed his official duty, he added.
“It was an act of self-defense because there was an unlawful attack on the part of the suspect, assaulting the police with the use of a deadly weapon,” Garcia said.
But Nocppo will still have an independent investigation about it, he added.
Garcia said Villacarlos was not disarmed but his issued firearm will be used in court in case there is a need to subject it as evidence.
Villacarlos still renders duty at Himamaylan City Police Station, pending the result of the investigation.
The suspect was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, January 22. He will face charges for his offense.