DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two siblings died Tuesday evening, October 24, after a police officer shot them for allegedly resisting arrest.
Declared dead on arrival at the General Robillo Hospital, Calinan district, were Jovany Mante, 23, and his brother Jomar Mante, 26.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum said the two were among the identified gang members said to be involved in a riot which happened prior to the shooting incident.
At about 9:15 pm. on Tuesday, Calinan police station received a call from a concerned citizen regarding a riot happening along Roman Diaz street.
When PO1 Mark Anthony Corsino, the responding officer aboard a mobile patrol car number 97 arrived at the location, bystanders told him that the persons involved in the riot incident were headed towards another street.
Corsino, immediately proceeded to Magsaysay street but when he got off the mobile, he was attacked by five men, while one pointed an improvised hand gun (sumpak) at him and tried to rob the his service pistol.
While in the course of struggle, Corsino was able to parry the gun pointed at him and accidentally shot the suspect at the chest at close range.
In an attempt to fight back, one of the gang members aimed his hand gun towards Corsino, who to his defense immediately fired at the suspect. The siblings were rushed to the nearest hospital but were declared dead on arrival.
The police recovered two improvised firearms at the incident which were allegedly used by Mante siblings.
Meanwhile, two other suspects, Jierel Mante Casayas and a minor was nabbed by police officers while a certain “Benjie” managed to escape. The suspects will be facing criminal charges for direct assault for their involvement in the incident.
Tagum told reporters on Wednesday, October 25, that further investigations will be conducted to probe the case.
“We assure that we will not stop investigating not only the suspects but also we will also conduct investigation on our personnel,” Tagum said.
He pointed out that Corsino, who sustained bruises and contusions, will undergo forensic investigation. (davaotoday.com)
