Cops shoot dead farmer who attacked them in Leyte

Leyte. INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY — Two cops were wounded Monday after a farmer shot them while they were having their lunch at the roof deck of the police station in Poblacion Zone 1, Javier town, Leyte.

The 44-year-old suspect, known as “Ed,” was gunned down by policemen after he launched the sudden attack.

A report from the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police at Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo town, Leyte, said the suspect suddenly arrived while the policemen were having lunch, seized the service firearm of one of them, and fired at them.

One of the policemen was hit on the chest, while another suffered a gunshot wound on his right lower thigh.

Another policeman, sensing immediate danger to his life, jumped out of the window of the roof deck.

A policeman tried to disarm the suspect but was overpowered, prompting another policeman to shoot the suspect.

The victims and the suspect were quickly rushed to the Javier Municipal Infirmary for immediate medical attention.

However, the suspect was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The injured policemen were referred to the Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban City for treatment.

An investigation is being conducted to unveil the motive behind the attack.

Leyte acting police director Colonel Dionisio Apas Jr. said the suspect went to the police station on the pretense of surrendering after he learned that he had an arrest warrant.

Apas did not disclose why the suspect had an arrest warrant.

“In light of this, I want to assure the public that this incident is isolated, and the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) is actively managing and addressing the situation,” he said.

“The Leyte PPO reaffirms its commitment to maintaining peace and order, with the safety of our officers and the communities we serve as our top priority,” Apas added.