By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A man was shot dead late Sunday evening at Purok San Juan in Barangay Fabrica, Sagay City after allegedly attempting to assault police officers and barangay tanods, who were responding to reports he was being disorderly.

Police identified the fatality as 30-year-old Ruel Luneta, a resident of the said area.

Sagay City police chief, Police Chief Inspector Robert Mansueto, said, around 10:45 p.m., their station received a call from a certain Nanette Nava, who claimed Luneta tried to hack her two children, along with their companions.

Police officers, along with three barangay tanods, responded and, upon arrival, saw Luneta holding a sugarcane cutter, locally referred to as “espading.”

The responding officials tried to calm Luneta down, urging him to put down his weapon and surrender peacefully.

In response, the assailant allegedly charged at the cops and tried to hack two of the tanods, who evaded the attack.

The suspect then turned his attention to Senior Police Officer 1 Ronie Sanico and tried to hack him.

Sanico pulled out his service firearm and shot Luneta.

Cops immediately brought the suspect to the city’s district hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival by hospital staff.

Police recovered Luneta’s weapon, which measured 14 inches in length.

Sagay City police are presently investigating the incident./DGB, WDJ