A policeman shot a father and son during an argument on Christmas Day, December 25, in Purok Maligaya, Barangay Canjusa, Pulupandan town in Negros Occidental.
The authorities identified the victims as 21-year-old Joman Fuentes, who died, and his father, 52-year-old Jomarie, who sustained injuries.
Authorities identified the suspect as Police Corporal Armen Alanza, 36, who serves in the 604th Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and resides in Canjusa, the same locality as the victims.
Alanza was drinking beer at a store when a dispute broke out with the victims, who were there to buy beer. A heated argument ensued, according to police reports.
The suspect allegedly fired his PNP-issued 9mm pistol, hitting both victims. The authorities declared Joman dead on arrival at the Valladolid District Hospital, while Jomarie survived.
The PNP plans to file a homicide case against Alanza, who is currently detained at the Pulupandan Police Station.
Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of Police Regional Office 6, assured the public and the victims’ family of a fair and thorough investigation into the incident.
He also extended his condolences on behalf of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the Fuentes family and reaffirmed the PNP’s commitment to holding its personnel accountable for misconduct.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.