CEBU, Philippines – An off duty policeman was wounded but managed to shoot a drunk person who stabbed him in the stomach while responding to a call for assistance in Barangay Ka-sambagan yesterday dawn.
Police Officer 2 Japeth Cabusao Malima shot Ferdinand Inot dead after the latter attacked him with a knife when he confronted him and his two drinking buddies at 2:00 a.m. yesterday in Banilad road over a complaint of three women whom they allegedly made fun with.
Malima, assigned at the Tourist Action Center, responded the call for help even if he was off-duty. He went to the store where Inot, 38, of Sitio Mojon, Barangay Banilad, Edwin Lastimoso, 36, and Tanny Bacalso were having a drinking session and introduced himself as a police officer.
Malima, who was in civilian clothes, showed his wallet with his PNP identification card to the group. However, Lastimoso took the wallet while Inot stabbed the po-liceman in the stomach.
Homicide investigator Judan Batucan said that Malima was forced to draw his .9-millimeter service pistol to protect himself from the "eminent danger" and shot Inot dead.
Inot's other drinking buddy, Bacalso, stepped back as he watched Malima shooting his pal. Inot died on the spot due to several gunshot wounds. He was lying on his belly when the responding policemen from Mabolo police station and Mobile Patrol Group arrived at the crime scene.
Malima also took a taxicab and went to the Chong Hua Hospital where he is currently confined and already in a stable condition. He also called his superior, Sr. Insp. Stanley Sabang, to whom he voluntarily surrendered.
Malima also surrendered his service firearm with an empty magazine to Sabang.
The police yesterday arrested Lastimosa and recovered from his possession Malima's wallet. Lastimosa will be charged for violation of Article 286 of the Revised Pe-nal Code or grave coercion for taking the policeman's wallet with him.
Cebu City police chief Patrocinio Comendador said Malima's action is considered legitimate even if he was off-duty.
"It was in the lawful performance of his duty," Comendador told reporters yesterday.
He said Malima will be under their custody while an investigation is being completed.
Comendador said they will also assess if they will be extending financial assistance to the wounded cop. (FREEMAN)