Knife-wielding man fatally shot by responding cop in Iloilo

A man who was wielding a knife was killed in a police response operation in Pavia, Iloilo on Friday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

In a press briefing, PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said a cop was forced to fire at the man in self-defense. 

“Kaya napilitan ang isa sa ating tauhan na gumamit ng kanilang service [firearm] para ipagtanggol ang sarili,” Torre said. 

(One member of our police was forced to use his service firearm to defend himself.)

“Binigyan ng paunang lunas ng suspek at isinugod sa pinakamalapit hospital sa tulong ng Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Sa kasamaang palad, siya ay dineklarang dead on arrival,” he added.

(The suspect was given first aid and rushed to the nearest hospital with the help of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Unfortunately, he was declared dead on arrival.)

According to police, the family of the man called the 911 emergency hotline to seek help after he allegedly threatened them. 

Considering that the man was only holding a knife but he was shot by police, Torre said the cop’s action is under review. 

As a result of the incident, Torre said the PNP is studying whether police officers should also be equipped with non-lethal weapons such as batons or pepper strays to address similar situations. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News