A POLICEMAN was killed by a colleague on duty for making fun instead of properly responding to a security password at a town police headquarters in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, the police reported Sunday.
Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, disclosed the incident occurred around 9 p.m., Saturday, at the police headquarters of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Galvez identified the fatality as Police Corporal Jorge Dick Baltazar, 30 while the suspect as Patrolman Laurence Joseph Ancheta, 38, both of the Titay police headquarters.
Galvez said investigation showed that Baltazar, clad in hooded jacket, went to the police headquarters of Titay and was challenged by Ancheta, the duty station guard, by saying the security password “minuto”.
She said Baltazar did not reply and identify himself, instead, he make fun by pulling his gun that prompted Ancheta, sensing danger, to draw his service firearm and open fire.
She said the victim was rushed to Dr. Sibud County Hospital in Titay for medical treatment and was referred to a hospital in Zamboanga City for further medication.
Unfortunately, Galvez said that Baltazar expired around 10 p.m. Saturday while on the way to a hospital in Zamboanga City.
Galvez said Baltazar was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician at Cristino Paragas Memorial Hospital in Quiniput village, this city.
She said Ancheta subsequently surrendered and turned over his service firearm. (SunStar Zamboanga)