Gun duel over a toothpick

A rookie policeman is now in critical condition after he was stabbed by a man he was about to arrest in Caloocan City on Sunday.

The policeman’s perpetrator, a man under the drug watchlist, was shot dead after the wounded policeman retaliated.

Police identified the wounded Caloocan cop as Police Officer 1 Ronald Anicete. Meanwhile, the slain drug personality was Cesar Ariola.

Initial investigation showed that James Chua, a barangay watchman of Barangay 146, Bagong Barrio, reported to the police that Ariola was seen walking with a bladed weapon along G. De Jesus Street around 10:30 a.m.

Because of a heated argument over a toothpick, a Caloocan policeman was wounded after he had a gun duel with another cop at a canteen in Caloocan City over the weekend.

The two cops involved in the gun fight were identified as Senior Police Officer 1 Rommel Bautista, assigned in Caloocan police investigation department; and PO 2 John Paul dela Fuente, assigned to the Manila police.

Investigation showed that a certain Danny Sta. Maria had a heated argument with Dela Fuente at a canteen on A. Mabini St. in Barangay 12, Caloocan on Saturday.

Witnesses said that Sta. Maria took a toothpick on the table where Dela Fuente was eating. This gesture, apparently, irked the eating cop.

The two had an argument until it resulted to a fist fight, reports said. The two were soon pacified.

Sta. Maria left the canteen after the fight. After a few minutes, he returned with Bautista. Then, a gun duel transpired between Dela Fuente and Bautista. Witnesses claimed that Bautista was the first one to fire.

Bautista was reportedly hit in the thigh.

Dela Fuente then left the canteen, witnesses said.

Seized from the crime scene were 13 spent shells.

Bautista was rushed to the Caloocan City Medical Center. As of now, he is currently recuperating.

Anicete, who was in civilian clothes, then responded and was seen on a closedcircuit television (CCTV) footage that he tried to arrest Ariola at gunpoint.

However, instead of surrendering, Ariola drew a knife and stabbed the cop several times.

Left with no other choice, the bloodied Anicete who fell down on the pavement, then shot Ariola on the body causing his instant death.

Concerned citizens rushed Anicete to the Manila Central University (MCU) Hospital.

Recovered from the crime scene were five cartridge cases of caliber .9mm, a folding and a fan knife.

According to a barangay official, Ariola worked as a carpenter before. He was also known as a drug user.