A minor was wounded after he was reportedly shot by a patrolling police officer early yesterday morning along Lacson Street in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City.

Police refused name the victim, but confirmed he is a resident of Barangay Bata in the said city.

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, said, around 2:50 a.m., Police Officer 3 (PO3) Jully Gabaran was patrolling alone after his partner was recalled to Police Station 3 (PS3) to respond to a shootout in Barangay Banago.

As he was patrolling, Gabaran noticed four suspicious individuals, prompting him to question them.

However, as he approached the four individuals, comprised of three males and one female, they fled.

The police officer gave chase and after spotting one of the individuals pulling out, what he believed to be, a weapon, Gabaran, in self-defense, pulled out his own 9mm Glock service firearm and opened fire, striking the victim.

When Gabaran approached the wounded individual, he realized the victim was a minor and immediately contacted PS3 for an ambulance.

The minor was rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

Gabaran, meanwhile, was stripped of his firearm by PS3 commander, Police Senior Inspector Victor Paulino, and ordered to remain in the station.

Ebreo added, the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) is currently conducting an investigation of the incident./DGB, WDJ