ILIGAN CITY – A 31-year-old security guard was placed under police custody after shooting a man who allegedly attempted to steal fuel from a parked truck and later attacked him with a knife inside the premises of an inn in Barangay Del Carmen, Iligan City, on Sunday, July 12.
The suspect in custody, identified only by the alias “Tong,” is a resident of Barangay Abuno and was on duty as a security guard at a local inn when the incident occurred.
According to the guard’s account, he noticed a 21-year-old man, identified only as “Kelvin,” who had allegedly entered the inn’s premises without authorization and was siphoning diesel fuel from a large truck parked inside the compound.
The guard said he immediately approached the man and confronted him over the alleged theft.
However, instead of complying, the alleged thief reportedly drew a knife and charged at the security guard, prompting the latter to fire his service firearm in what he claimed was an act of self-defense.
The bullet struck the 21-year-old suspect, who was immediately rushed to a hospital for medical treatment. He remains under medical care while recovering from the gunshot wound.
Following standard police procedure in shooting incidents, responding officers took the security guard into custody as authorities launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
Police are expected to examine several pieces of evidence, including the security guard’s firearm, the alleged bladed weapon recovered at the scene, witness statements, and any available CCTV footage from the establishment to determine whether the use of force was justified.
Authorities have yet to announce the possible charges that may be filed against either party pending the outcome of the investigation.
If investigators establish that the guard acted within the bounds of lawful self-defense while performing his duties, he may be cleared of criminal liability. Meanwhile, the wounded 21-year-old could face charges related to the alleged attempted theft and the reported attack on the security guard.
Police assured the public that the case remains under thorough investigation to establish the complete sequence of events and ensure that all legal procedures are properly observed.