Bato visits Caloocan cop who survived knife attack: Na-bless ka ni Lord

Injured policeman PO1 Ronald Anicete just came from mass on Sunday night when watchmen of Barangay 146 of Caloocan City sought his help to subdue a man armed with a bladed weapon who was running amok in their area.

"Naka-duty po ako nu’n, kasisimba ko lang,” Anicete told Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa who visited him at the Chinese General Hospital where he was confined before noon Thursday.

"Nakita ko na may hawak na siya, nagpakilala akong pulis at pinabibitawan ko na sa kanya ‘yung patalim," he added.

Dela Rosa said Anicete was "blessed" by the Lord that time since he just came from church.

"Nagsimba ka, kung hindi ka nagsimba baka patay ka na ngayon. Buti nagsimba ka, na-bless ka ni Lord nu'ng araw na iyon," he told Anicete, who suffered multiple stab wounds, two of which he sustained on his chest.

Dela Rosa it was "just another day" in the life of a policeman but it would be a big day for the critics of the administration if Anicete was not wounded and had shot the suspect.

"Sa atin kahit na buhay natin nakataya, it was just another day for a working cop. Sa kanila, big day na ‘yun kung walang patalim ‘yun tapos nabaril mo, big day sa kanila ‘yan, gigibain na naman tayo," he said.

Dela Rosa said it was a good thing that the whole incident was caught on CCTV.

The CCTV showed that the suspect, identified as alias Cesar, was walking along Interior Masikat Street and was being followed by Anicete, who was in civilian clothing and was trying to make the suspect put down the bladed weapon.

The suspect, instead of listening to Anicete, stabbed him repeatedly, prompting the policeman to shoot the suspect.

Dela Rosa has gifted Anicete with a Glock 45 aside from awarding him the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting and promising him a promotion. He also said Anicete could be a resource speaker on their training on rules of engagement and calibrated use of force.

"What was in his mind from the time na ina-accost niya hanggang sa umatras siya, hanggang sa natumba siya, hanggang sa nasaksak siya, hanggang nabaril niya? Maganda ‘yan na i-share mo sa ating mga kasamahan," he told the wounded cop.

"The PNP is very happy for what you have done.  Sana dadami pa yung kagaya mo, hindi ‘yung masaksak ha, ‘yung talagang bayani na ginamit ang police operational procedure at maximum tolerance bago gumamit ng final option which is the use of firearms," he added.  —KBK/KVD, GMA News