Metro Briefs: March 26, 2019

4 hurt, including Malabon cop who goes after knife wielder

A policeman was wounded after he was attacked by a man who had stabbed someone for swearing at him in Malabon City on Sunday night.

The attacker, Christopher Uciman, ended up in the hospital along with the policeman, PO1 Marbert Tibe, of the Malabon Police Community Precinct 3.

Uciman earlier stabbed Renato Mondejer in the neck with an ice pick in Block 11, Barangay Longos, around 11:30 p.m. Sunday after the latter cursed at him.

When Tibe rushed to the scene, Uciman also stabbed him in the arm, prompting the policeman to shoot the suspect.

Unfortunately, a bystander, Arjo Higum, was hit by a bullet in the leg.

All four victims were taken to Tondo Medical Center for treatment.

They were released on Monday except for Uciman who was placed in the custody of the Malabon police.

He faces charges of attempted homicide and direct assault. Senior Supt. Jessie Tamayao, Malabon police chief, said that whether Tibe would be charged for wounding a bystander was now under investigation.

“If negligence is present on the part of the police officer concerned, then we will file administrative and criminal complaints. As of now, we already took the initiative to assist the victim in terms of medical needs,” Tamayao told the Inquirer. —Nikka G. Valenzuela

Diocese of Kalookan welcomes heart relic of St. Camillus

Bells rang while red and white flags were waved when the Diocese of Kalookan welcomed the heart relic of St. Camillus de Lellis at San Roque Cathedral in Caloocan City on Sunday.

The 404-year-old heart relic of the patron saint of the sick and health workers is capping a two-month-long journey to the country.

Its last stop will be on March 31 at the Minor Basilica of Immaculate Conception in Batangas province.

In his homily during the welcome Mass, Fr. John Paul Alvarado reminded churchgoers that the relic was a “human heart” — sinful and unrighteous, but one that repented and served the Lord.

“[St. Camillus] grew up as an errant man. He was a gambler who thought of nothing but money, money, money. He was a soldier paid to kill people, he was addicted to gambling,” said Alvarado.

After Camillus lost his money and suffered from a diseased leg while fighting the Turks, he dedicated his life to caring for the sick.

Alvarado asked churchgoers to ask for “the grace of change of heart” before they pray for healing.

The Italian saint established the religious order Ministers of the Sick whose members wear a red cross on their cassock. —Nikka G. Valenzuela