Cop hacked in face, back during response ops

CEBU, Philippines- A policeman landed in the hospital last Friday afternoon after a man who went amuck in Pinamungajan town hacked him in the face and back.

Senior Police Officer 1 Peter Cuanso Jr. was trying to pacify the man, identified as Jerry Lumactao, 44, when the latter hacked him instead.

Cuanso and three other cops – Senior Police Officer 3 Joey Macapobre, PO1 Jonever Mangubat, and PO1 Ian Patrict Carvellida – went to Sitio Mangga in Barangay Poblacion after the police station received an alarm for malicious mischief at past 1 p.m.

Lumactao allegedly hit his neighbor’s glass window with a scythe so the neighbors called for police assistance.

When the cops arrived, Lumactao ran toward his house but before they could follow him in, Lumactao came back out and brandished his scythe known locally as “lampas.” When the policemen tried to calm him down and requested that he put his weapon down, Lumactao reportedly got angry and attacked Cuanso.

Cuanso had no choice but to shoot Lumactao in the leg but even with the wound, Lumactao still tried to evade arrest by running into the woods. His wound took a toll on him, however, and he was found later by pursuing policemen. As they were carrying him out of the woods, the cops found a .38 caliber pistol with three bullets at Lumactao’s back.

Lumactao was brought to the Pinamungajan District Hospital but he reportedly refused treatment so he was brought for detention to the Pinamungajan Police Station.

Cuanso had to be admitted in the hospital owing to the deep hack wound in his back.  (FREEMAN)