QC cop shoots colleague in 'misencounter'

MANILA, Philippines - Each thinking the other was a criminal, two Quezon City Police District (QCPD) policemen figured in a shootout, described by their superiors as a “misencounter,” Sunday night.

Senior Police Officer 1 Byron Antonio, 50, of the QCPD’s District Police Intelligence Operation Unit and a resident of Barangay Holy Spirit, was hit in the right thigh during the shootout that happened at past 6 p.m.

Chief Inspector Rodelio Marcelo, chief of the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation Unit, said Antonio was shot by PO1 Dave Carlo Santos, a member of the QCPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit and a resident of the same village.

“A misencounter happened as each of them initially thought the other was a suspicious individual,” said Marcelo. “It did not help they were also edgy since the area is also known to have criminal elements hanging around.”

Antonio said he was supposed to meet an informant when he saw a van appear, then a man approached and shot him.

He said despite being wounded, he managed to run and hide in one of the houses.

Santos said he became suspicious when he saw an armed man, who turned out to be Antonio. He said he called for backup, and a marked SWAT vehicle arrived.

He said when the van arrived with five SWAT policemen, he approached Antonio, who reportedly started shooting at him. He said he decided to fire back.

Superintendent Ferdinand Villanueva, the QCPD’s duty officer that night, arrived in the area and stopped the shootout after learning that those involved in the firefight are policemen.

Marcelo said Antonio is also considering whether to file charges against the SWAT members who were reportedly involved in the misencounter.