Cop, 2 others hurt in Masbate shooting

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — A police officer, a civilian, and a suspect were wounded in a shooting in Masbate City in Masbate province early Saturday, Dec. 30.

Brigadier General Andre Perez Dizon, Bicol police chief, said, based on initial investigation, Corporal Jimmy Ramos, 35, and Staff Sergeant Manuel Cabug Jr., 36, both assigned to the provincial police intelligence unit, responded to pacify a commotion between two groups in Barangay Ibingay at around 3:25 a.m.

Ramos was shot in his right knee when the suspect Darwin Bartolata, 25, started firing at the cops. Bartolata was also shot after Cabug retaliated, but he later fled using his motorcycle.

Judith Mahinay, 32, a bystander who was in front of a videoke bar near the area, was also hit in the back of her body.

The victims were immediately taken to Masbate Provincial Health Office for treatment.

While the Masbate police were conducting a follow-up investigation, a concerned citizen informed them that the suspect was taken to Diocesan Hospital in another village for treatment. Police went to the hospital and arrested him there.