January 14, 2026 - A police patrolman in Cavite has been arrested after mistakenly shooting a fellow officer during an anti-drug operation, leaving the victim in critical condition.

Authorities confirmed that the incident happened on the evening of January 8, 2026, in General Trias City, Cavite. Police operatives were conducting a buy-bust operation against a drug suspect when gunfire suddenly erupted. Police Corporal Ryan Bismanos was hit in the lower back and rushed to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

According to Cavite Acting Provincial Director Police Colonel Ariel Red, the suspect was identified as Patrolman Harvey Mendoza, a member of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group. Mendoza allegedly fired his service firearm after mistaking the ongoing operation for a robbery. 

“During the process of arrest a sudden gunfire occurred toward the operating team, hitting one of its members,” Red said in a press briefing. Mendoza later admitted that he thought the officers were being held up, prompting him to shoot. His house was located just a few meters away from the site of the operation.

The buy-bust operation itself had been successful, with police arresting a suspect known as alias Arce. Authorities seized a firearm and several packets of suspected shabu worth more than ₱45,000 from the suspect. However, the situation turned chaotic when Mendoza opened fire on the operatives. Eight officers were caught in the exchange, but only Corporal Bismanos was wounded.

Following a swift follow-up operation, Mendoza was arrested and his service firearm confiscated. He now faces criminal charges of frustrated murder and direct assault filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor of General Trias. The Cavite Provincial Internal Affairs Service has also launched an investigation, which could lead to administrative sanctions and possible dismissal from service.

The General Trias police chief reminded officers of strict protocols regarding the use of firearms. “May standard operating procedure po tayo and it is very wrong po na paputukan po natin kahit sabihing suspect o criminal iyan. It is very wrong po na basta na lang po natin putukan yan nang walang evidence of threat sa buhay po natin. Hinding-hindi po tayo bumabaril basta-basta. Kahit po warning shot, bawal din po yung warning shot,” he said, stressing that police officers are prohibited from firing indiscriminately.

The incident has sparked concern among residents and police officials, highlighting the dangers of miscommunication during high-risk operations. Mendoza’s family claimed he issued warnings before firing, believing he was intervening in a crime. Still, authorities emphasized that proper identification and coordination are crucial to avoid tragic mistakes.

As Corporal Bismanos continues to fight for his life in the hospital, the case against Patrolman Mendoza is expected to proceed swiftly. The Philippine National Police assured the public that accountability will be enforced, both through criminal prosecution and internal disciplinary measures.

One Shot That Exposed a Broken System?

One bullet flew in General Trias, and it did more than wound a police officer. It exposed cracks that training manuals try to hide. A patrolman mistook fellow officers for criminals, pulled the trigger, and sent a colleague fighting for his life. That is not a momentary lapse. That is a system failing under pressure.

Rules on firearm use exist. Identification protocols exist. Yet confusion still turned deadly during a routine operation. When coordination collapses and instinct overrides discipline, blaming one officer feels convenient. It also feels incomplete.

This case forces a harder look at how operations are planned, how training is reinforced, and how command responsibility works inside the Philippine National Police. If one shot can cause this much damage, how many more warnings will it take before structural reform finally follows?