By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – A police officer in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, is under investigation after his 29-year-old nephew was fatally shot in Barangay Balintawak last week.
Police Lt. Suzennie Ann Legada, administrative officer of the Escalante City Police Station, said the staff sergeant was off duty and at home when he responded to a call for assistance at around 12:45 a.m. on November 29.
The victim, reportedly intoxicated, was allegedly creating a disturbance in the area.
When the officer tried to pacify him, the victim allegedly grabbed the officer’s service firearm. A struggle ensued, during which the firearm discharged four times, Legada said.
The fourth shot is believed to have struck the victim in the head, causing his immediate death.
The officer later surrendered his government-issued firearm to authorities.
Legada clarified that the officer was authorized to carry his service firearm even off duty, citing the need for self-protection.
An administrative case has been referred to the Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS) for a motu proprio investigation.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family is awaiting the decision of his father on whether to file criminal charges against the officer.
