Two Taboan cops shoot amok dead

Before any more people could be hurt, if not killed yesterday morning, two quick-acting and straight shooting policemen shot dead an unidentified man in barangay Sawang Calero after he ran amok and attacked people with a bolo.

Three jeepney passengers were not however as lucky as the others in the vicinity of the San Nicolas Church at about 6 am as they sustained hack wounds on the back of their bodies after they were attacked. It was not however all ill luck for them though as the wounds were deemed minor and after treatment at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), they were released.

The man was described to be in his late 20s, of medium build, about 5'5" tall, and with straight hair. He reportedly grabbed the bolo from somebody at the Pasil Market before hacking the three victims, who were onboard a jeepney bound for Colon.

The three injured were identified as Henry Abadilla of C. Padilla st., William Tan of Spolarium st., and Nicanor Cabonales of Cabreros st.

They were seated beside each other when they were attacked as the jeepney slowed down near the vicinity of the market, which is right across the San Nicolas Church.

After hacking the three people, the man who wore an orange shirt under a blue checkered long sleeves, ran towards Tomas Avila st. where he was met by SPO1 Gregorio Taneo and SPO1 Russel Teves, two beat patrol policemen assigned at the area from the Taboan Police Station.

The policemen fired warning shots to stop the man from attacking the people in the area, but instead of dropping the bolo, the amok turned his attention to the policemen.

Left with no other recourse, the policemen shot the man hitting him on the left side of his pelvic area first before hitting him on the left cheek, which resulted to his death.

As of early last night, the man remained unidentified. His body is now at the morgue of San Fernando Funeral Homes.

Homicide investigator Jojo Ursaiz said none of the residents in barangay Sawang Calero knew the man.

The investigator also justified the actions of the two policemen, who responded to the alarm. "Justifiable ra man to kay pelvic area man ang naigo pirmiro. Muasdang pa man gihapon siya kay mutigbas gyud maong gisundan ug pusil sa aping na," (It was justifiable since the man was first shot at the pelvic area. However, he continued to attack by trying to hack the policemen so he was shot on the cheek) Ursaiz said.

Ursaiz added that after the man hacked the three jeepney passengers, the by standers tried to chase him before the two policemen came to stop the amok from doing anymore harm.

Taboan Police Chief Anthony Obenza said Teves and Taneo surrendered their firearms, a 9 mm and a .38 cal revolver respectively to the Homicide Section.

Obenza said that while there is no complainant yet, both cops would remain as market detail, but he assured that Teves and Taneo would always be available for further investigation.

Sought for comment acting-city director Melvin Gayotin said he was still waiting for the final report from the Homicide Section before he would comment. - Ryan P. Borinaga