Knife-wielding passenger shot by police at Iloilo airport

A 54-year-old passenger armed with a knife was shot by police at Iloilo International Airport on 28 January after he refused to surrender his weapon and allegedly attempted to stab an officer, authorities said.

Police identified the man as Ronald Lañojan, a resident of Camiguin, who was intercepted after airport security personnel detected a knife inside his bag during X-ray screening.

Reports said Lañojan refused to comply with further security procedures, prompting authorities to prevent him from moving freely within the pre-departure area. The situation escalated when he allegedly tried to stab a responding police officer and attempted to flee.

Police shot Lañojan in the chest to neutralize the threat, authorities said.

Initial investigations and passenger accounts placed the incident at around 4:45 p.m.

A video shared on Facebook by user Clloyd Luna showed the suspect running inside the terminal while pointing his weapon at pursuing authorities. Gunshots were later heard in the footage.

Lañojan, who was bound for Cebu, was rushed to Western Visayas Sanitarium Hospital in Barangay Bolong, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, for medical treatment.