By Jennifer P. Rendon
A member of the 2nd Platoon of the 1st Antique Provincial Mobile Force Company was hurt after he was assaulted while responding to a call for police assistance.
Patrolman Efraem dela Cruz, 30, who hails from Barangay San Pedro, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, suffered a swollen eye after he was attacked by the suspect.
Dela Cruz and his team proceeded to Barangay Egaña, Sibalom around 7:50 p.m. of October 26 after they received a call from a barangay tanod of a scythe-wielding man who was creating alarm and scandal.
When they went to the area, the suspect, 54-year-old Rolando Nangan, punched dela Cruz’s right eye.
The suspect, a mananggiti or tubà collector, was immediately arrested after the scuffle.
Corporal Edgar Baladiang, Sibalom police investigator, said Nangan was drunk when the incident happened.
A case for direct assault upon an agent of person in authority was already filed against the suspect.
Suspects assaulting policemen is nothing new in Antique. More than a week ago, a policeman assigned to Bugasong Police Station died after they tried to arrest a shooting suspect.
42-year-old Staff Sergeant Elvin Agting died after he was shot by Roy Jalipa, 33.
Police tried to arrest Jalipa for shooting to death 60-year-old Barangay Councilor Efren Florendo in Barangay Cubay North, Bugasong.
