Off-Duty Police Officer Shoots and Kills Drunk Attacker in Cebu City
In a tragic turn of events, a drunk autoshop helper lost his life after being shot by an off-duty police officer whom he had stabbed. The violent confrontation unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Cebu City, Philippines.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The victim, identified as Police Master Sergeant Celso Gonzales Rivera Jr., a member of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), was attacked by the suspect, Gilbert Mugas, a resident of Mabinay, Negros Oriental. According to investigations by the Parian Police Station, the incident began at a gasoline station in Banilad. Rivera received a call from his sibling about a man acting wildly due to intoxication.
Instead of arresting Mugas, Rivera and his companions took pity on him. They allowed him into their vehicle with the intention of dropping him off at the Cebu South Bus Terminal so he could return home. However, upon reaching the intersection of Sikatuna and Imus Road in Barangay Day-as, Mugas suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed Rivera in the chest.
Chaos and Consequences
A commotion ensued inside the vehicle, forcing Rivera to shoot Mugas in the abdomen in self-defense to stop the attack. Both men were rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), where Mugas was declared dead. Rivera is currently recovering from his wounds at the hospital.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Franco Rodulf Oriol, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), explained that the officers did not search Mugas before letting him into the car because their intention was purely compassionate. "They asked him to just ride so they could take him home. They did not expect that upon reaching that location, he would suddenly stab and hit our police officer in the chest," Oriol stated.
He added that aside from Rivera, another companion of the police officer was also injured during the altercation. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to fully confirm all details of the bloody incident.
