Mentally deranged man shot dead by Tondo cops

Two rookie patrolmen of the Western Police District are now being investigated after they shot dead an alleged mentally deranged man in Tondo, Manila last Friday night.

Now being probed by the WPD Homicide Division are Police Officer 2 Antonio Cruz and Police Officer 1 Benjamin Medina, both detailed at the Police Community Precinct at Rosabago street in Gagalangin, Tondo. Killed in the incident was Aguido Soriaga, of 2947 Clemente street also in Gagalangin, Tondo.

Investigation showed that the victim suffered a nervous breakdown and went amuck inside his house at around 8:30 p.m. Police said Soriaga grabbed a large kitchen knife and threatened to stab relatives who were trying to pacify him.

The victim’s relatives sought police assistance after the victim, still clutching the knife, locked himself inside his bedroom.

Cruz and Medina, after arriving at the scene, first asked the victim to surrender peacefully. But when the victim refused, the policemen then knocked down the door and barged into the room.

They then tried to corner the victim but he raised the knife forcing the officers to fire warning shots. Still the victim refused to yield and managed to stab Cruz once in the right leg. This forced the officers to open fire at the victim in self-defense.

Medina, meanwhile, was also injured when he was hit in the left arm by a ricocheting bullet.

Soriaga was rushed by his brother Honorato to the Ospital ngTondo for immediate treatment of his two gunshot wounds. He was later transferred to the Philippine General Hospital where he died. – Mike Frialde