THE hotel security guard who was shot after resisting arrest by responding police officers around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2025, is now in a stable condition.
The shooting happened after the security guard, identified as Vernor Patria, 28, reportedly went berserk, broke windows, harassed hotel employees and eventually declared a robbery.
He sustained gunshot wounds to his foot. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Investigation by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) revealed that a call was made to a police outpost on General Maxilom Avenue, reporting an ongoing robbery. The Abellana Police Station was immediately informed about the incident at Palladium Suites.
Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) and the Motor Rider Unit quickly responded and encountered the suspect, who was attempting to flee.
The police pursued him and attempted to stop him, but he refused to surrender.
Upon reaching the corner in front of a hospital on Osmeña Blvd., the suspect was cornered.
Instead of surrendering, he attempted to stab the police officers in front of him with his weapon, prompting the policemen to fire at his right foot.
However, the bullet that hit the suspect ricocheted and struck Police Patrolman Carillo in the right arm. Carillo was immediately brought to the Cebu City Medical Center.
Police Colonel Enrico Figueroa, head of the CCPO, said the police acted correctly, based on the recorded video, as they gave the suspect a chance to surrender and throw away his weapons.
The suspect, however, continued to threaten the police with a knife and scissors.
“Makikita natin na umaatras ang police natin, binibigyan sya ng chance na sumuko sya at itapon ang kanyang patalim but instead, nagpatuloy sya, so nakita ng police natin na may eminent danger na, so kailangan i-defend yung sarili nya. Syempre trained yung ating pulis, instead sa body sya barilin, ni-neutralize lang sya duon sa kanyang paa tinamaan,” said Figueroa.
(We can see that our police officers were backing away, giving him a chance to surrender and throw his knife, but instead, he continued, so our police officers saw an imminent danger and had to defend themselves. Of course, our police are trained, so instead of aiming for the body, they neutralized him by shooting him in the foot.)
Figueroa added that the police outposts on the streets were very helpful, as they were quickly accessible during crimes in the area.
Less than two minutes after the call, the responding officers arrived at the scene and found the suspect committing the crime.
As a result, Figueroa recommended that the responding police officers be listed for recognition during the Monday flag-raising ceremony. He also recommended a financial assistance for the policeman who was hit by the bullet.
Meanwhile, the CCPO has initiated a background investigation on the suspect to determine why he acted that way.
Figueroa ordered the police personnel assigned to the outposts to coordinate with the hotel management for the investigation.
He said they will also check whether the suspect was under the influence of illegal drugs. (AYB)