Sword-wielding attacker shot dead in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines - Police officers shot dead an unidentified man who used a sword to attack two people in East Fairview subdivision, Quezon City Sunday afternoon.

Chief Inspector Benjie Elenzano, Quezon City Police District investigation chief, said the first victim, Hemingway Galiste, 45, was sleeping when the man barged into their house at around 4:20 p.m. Galiste called out to his father, Antonio, who confronted the man.

The man drew a sword and lunged at Galiste, who was hit in the forehead, before fleeing. The man proceeded to another house and encountered Janesa Ramil, 29, who was visiting, and grabbed her cell phone.

Police officers, responding to Galiste’s phone call, arrived at the scene. Police Officer 3 Jose Recto and PO1 Ramil Garcia of Police Station 5 rescued Ramil and fired at the man when he tried to stab them. The attacker was taken to the FEU Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival.

Elenzano said the attacker was about 30 to 40 years old, about six feet tall, slim, and wore nothing but basketball shorts.     – Jerry Botial