Man killed, cop hurt in encounter

A policemen responding to an alarm along Sikatuna St. in barangay Day-as yesterday dawn was shot and wounded by a drunk man whom he also shot dead.

Police identified the fatality as Christopher Reponte, 25, a resident of Univille, barangay Kasambagan, but originally of Surigao del Sur, and the injured policeman as PO3 Erwin Ferrer of the Pari-an Police Station.

SPO1 Rogelio Nedamo said Ferrer was with his team composed of SPO2 Ricardo Escobido, PO3 Arnel Vender and PO1 Elmer Degoro when they responded to an alarm after some trisikad drivers in barangay Kamagayan reported that a drunk man armed with a handgun woke them up and pointed their guns at them.

Barangay tanods guided the police to the armed man and they finally saw him and called on him to surrender himself.

Without completely turning around, the suspect reportedly tucked his gun under his armpit and fired at the policemen standing behind him, hitting Ferrer in the chest.

Nedamo said Ferrer was the first one to disembark from the police vehicle when the suspect opened fire. Despite being hit, Ferrer was able to return fire, hitting the suspect once in the chest and killing him on the spot.

Ferrer was immediately rushed to the Velez General Hospital and later transferred to the Chong Hua Hospital.

Cebu City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador told reporters that there will be financial assistance from City Hall and the Philippine National Police for Ferrer’s hospitalization.

Comendador also said because Ferrer was wounded in the line of duty, he will be recommending a medal for him.

The PNP usually gives Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting to policemen wounded in the line of duty.  — Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP