Overkill? Cop shoots man who stabbed him in chest

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer shot dead a man who stabbed him with a Swiss knife in Sampaloc, Manila at past midnight yesterday.

Police Officer 1 Gester Verzosa, who works for the Manila Police District Station 7’s intelligence unit, appeared dazed when interviewed by The STAR at the MPD homicide section yesterday.

He said he is ready to face a homicide charge for shooting Reynaldo Lee, a part-time driver and electrician, who stabbed him in the right side of the chest.

MPD Station 4 investigator Police Officer 3 Dindo Encina told The STAR that Verzosa was just on his way from the station on a motorcycle when Lee stabbed him once in the chest.

Verzosa retaliated with seven gunshots, killing the man in front of his mother Emidarda Mangcopa along Fajardo street in Sampaloc, Manila, Encinas said.

Encinas said according to the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, it was Lee who lunged at Verzosa and chased him down the road, prompting the policeman to fire back.

MPD homicide investigator Police Officer 3 Michael Maraggun told The STAR the mother was trying to pacify Lee, who was drunk at the time, and that the police officer shot the man in self-defense.

But Encina said Lee may still be held liable for negligence and homicide for killing his attacker.

Verzosa denied knowing Lee, and that he was just on his way home from the station, although the CCTV footage showed that the policeman was in civilian clothes at the time.

He said the CCTV footage clearly showed he only acted in self-defense, denying that it was an overkill.

Lee was rushed to the University of Sto. Tomas hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Verzosa faced inquest proceedings for a homicide charge.