CEBU, Philippines - A police officer and the vice president of the homeowner’s association of the subdivision where he resides were wounded after they shot each other over reports of unpaid water dues.
Police Officer 3 Dennis Camonay, 34, who is currently assigned under the Cebu Provincial Police Office, confronted Ruben Rafols, 47, an official of Corinthians Subdivision in Sitio Suba-Masulog, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City around noontime yesterday.
Police report said Rafols was about to cut off the water connection into the house of a certain Veronica Igoy when the police officer allegedly confronted him.
It was not immediately known whether Camonay was among those who have been delinquent with their water bill payments or whether he only defended Igoy, whose relationship with him could not yet be established as of press time yesterday.
Police said some Lord Wendell Mangunat, a resident of the place, went with Camonay to confront Rafols.
The confrontation, the report added, led to Camonay and Rafols shooting each other.
Camonay was hit in the leg while Rafols sustained gunshot wounds on his upper left thigh.
Senior Police Officer 2 Allan Pantaleon of Homicide Section of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office said Camonay, who was off from work that time, was about to talk to Rafols, only be attacked by Rafols with the use of his .45 caliber pistol.
The police officer fired back with the use of his .9mm service firearm and wounded Rafols.
Both of them fell on the ground.
Police reported that the subdivision official shot Camonay several times, and was able to hit him again right through his (Camonay’s) trigger finger.
Operatives of Basak Police Station rushed the two wounded men to Mactan Doctors’ Hospital for medical treatment.
At the crime scene, they recovered five empty shells from Rafol’s firearm and another empty bullet from Camonay’s issued gun.
Pantaleon said Camonay surrendered his gun to the responding police, along with his magazine loaded with 14 bullets.
Rafol’s gun bearing a cartridge loaded with five live ammunition was also taken.
Police said Rafols will be charged with a case of malicious mischief and direct assault after the incident. (FREEMAN)