Police in Baliwag City, Bulacan, arrested a suspect just minutes after a heated altercation at a drinking session ended in gunfire and left three men injured.

According to the Baliwag City Police Station, the shooting happened during a gathering in Barangay Tibag when an argument escalated.

The suspect allegedly punched one of the victims, pulled out a firearm, and opened fire, hitting three individuals before fleeing on a motorcycle.

“’Yung isa sa mga victims sinuntok ng suspek. From there, itong suspek, bumunot ng baril at pinagbabaril ‘yung tatlong victims natin. Fortunately, ‘yung mga tao naman agad nakatawag sa kapulisan kaya in less than 5 minutes nakarating na ‘yung pulis doon,” PBGen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., Director of Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), said.

With a tip from a witness, police launched a hot pursuit and dragnet operation quickly.

The suspect was found at his home, where officers also recovered the firearm used in the shooting and the getaway motorcycle.

The suspect is now in police custody and is facing charges of frustrated homicide.

PRO3 commended the swift response of Baliwag police and said public cooperation is important in keeping communities safe.

Peñones urged the public to use emergency services like 911 for faster police response.

“Unang-una po, available po ito sa lahat ng cellphone. Ida-dial niyo lang po ‘yung 911. Napakabilis. I’m encouraging na gamitin na natin ito dahil ito na ang established platform natin,” he said.