By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A man was injured after he allegedly got shot while escaping from members of Bantay Dagat and a police officer who chased a fishing boat in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental last Wednesday.
Wounded was Bonifacio Diamante, 43, of Barangay 6A, Victorias City.
Police Captain Wilfredo Benoman Jr., town police chief, said that Diamante was among the crew of a fishing boat who reportedly escaped from the authorities after their boat captain was held for alleged illegal fishing during a seaborne patrol operation.
During the brief chase, authorities heard gunfire from the escaping boat, prompting the policeman who was armed with an M16 rifle to retaliate, but they failed to hit the boat.
Later that day, the town police received a report that Diamante was confined in a hospital after suffering from an injury in his eye.
Although they have yet to confirm who and what caused Diamante’s injury, Benoman said that the policeman, whose name was withheld, was restricted to the police station and disarmed pending the investigation.
Benoman said that the cop will be subjected to paraffin rest while his firearm will also be subjected to ballistic examination.
He said that Diamante also reportedly denied his involvement in the gunfight.
The boat captain was released later that day.
