Bystander shot after attacking cop with pipe

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 56-year-old bystander and a 48-year-old police officer were injured during a commotion on Luzuriaga Street near the Central Public Market in Barangay 12 on Monday.

Police Capt. Francis Depasucat, chief of Police Station 1, said the incident began when the officer reprimanded a man drinking liquor at an eatery.

While the officer was walking away, the bystander suddenly struck him in the head with a steel pipe.

When the officer attempted to de-escalate the situation, the bystander reportedly became more aggressive and drew a knife, allegedly attempting to stab the officer.

This prompted the officer to shoot the man in the right leg to neutralize the threat, Depasucat said.

“It so happened that the officer was in the area when he saw a drunken person who could cause alarm to others at the eatery,” he added.

“Indi man gid abi puwede mag-inom didto so gin hambalan niya lang ang tawo pero nag intra ni gulpi ang suspect,” Depasucat said, explaining that the officer merely reminded the man that drinking was not allowed in the area when the suspect suddenly intervened and turned violent.

Both the officer and the suspect are recovering in the hospital.

Depasucat said the bystander has a previous arrest warrant for serious physical injuries.

The Bacolod City Police Office said further investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the incident, and appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect.