A police officer was injured in Sampaloc, Manila after allegedly being mauled by a group of men when he intervened in a reported snatching involving a minor, the Manila Police District (MPD) said.

A Quezon City police officer sustained injuries after he was attacked while responding to a snatching-related incident in Sampaloc, Manila. (Photo courtesy of Manila Police District)

According to the Sampaloc Police Station (PS4), the incident occurred at around 10:40 p.m. on April 8 at the corner of G. Tuazon and Batanes Streets.

The victim, identified as a 26-year-old police officer assigned to the Quezon City Police District, was with his girlfriend when they chanced upon a heated altercation between a delivery rider and a group of individuals over an alleged snatching incident involving a minor.

Initial reports said the rider accused a child of stealing his belongings.

However, tensions escalated when relatives and companions of the minor arrived at the scene and confronted the delivery rider, who had already left.

Without further discussion, the suspects allegedly attacked the officer, punching him repeatedly and striking him with a helmet on different parts of the body, causing injuries.

Despite identifying himself as a police officer, the attack reportedly continued, prompting him to discharge a single shot from his issued firearm in self-defense.

Responding personnel from the Tactical Motorcycle Riding Unit (TMRU) and intelligence operatives were immediately dispatched following a report of the mauling incident.

The arrested suspects were identified as residents of Sampaloc, Manila, and nearby areas, while a minor involved in the initial snatching allegation was turned over to Sampaloc Police Station for proper handling and documentation, along with his guardian.

Authorities said complaints of direct assault and less serious physical injuries are being prepared for filing before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.