A POLICEMAN, who responded to a shooting incident, died while a civilian is in critical condition after they were allegedly shot by a drunk man at Barangay 21 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental Sunday, September 2.
Killed was Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Antonio Broce Jr., 43, of the said village. He was assigned as a member of the alert team at Victorias City Police Station.
Chief Inspector Eduardo Corpuz, city police chief, said Broce was off duty when he responded to a call for assistance from Edgar Saludes, who was first shot by suspect Richard Artagame, who is temporarily residing in Victorias City.
Armed with a .45 caliber pistol, Artagame, who was reportedly drunk, threatened some residents in the area, and fired at Saludes, without any reason, when he saw him passed by.
Corpuz said Saludes, who sustained a lone gunshot wound on his stomach, sought the help of Broce who was near the area when the incident happened.
Saludes was brought to a hospital and was later transferred to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.
Artagame even attempted to steal a motorcycle. While Broce was approaching the suspect, he then fired at the policeman twice, hitting his chest and back. Broce was brought to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
Corpuz said Broce was not able to retaliate or even use his service firearm because Artagame acted aggressively.
He said the alert team of the police station proceeded to the area, where they saw Artagame trying to escape. But he was cornered and arrested.
Police recovered from the scene Artagame's .45 caliber pistol and some fired bullets of the said firearm.
Artagame is detained at the police station for the filing of murder charges.
Corpuz said frustrated murder charges will also be filed against him, depending on the medical condition of Saludes.
The city police chief said they are saddened about what happened to one of their colleagues.
"He responded to a call of duty despite he was off duty," he added.
Shooting
Meanwhile, a man died while his elder brother was injured after they were shot by three unidentified assailants inside their house at Purok Mahimulaton in Barangay Banago, Bacolod City on Saturday, September 1.
Police identified the fatality as Walter Gain, 42. Wounded was Romeo Gain, 47.
A certain "Jun-Jun" from Silay City and his two other companions arrived at the victims' house and fired at them, police records showed.
Romeo was hit on his left foot while Walter succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.
Police recovered from the scene fired bullets of suspected .45 caliber pistol.
Police have yet to determine the motive.
Follow-up operation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators.