A Dutch national was arrested for allegedly stealing and firing a policeman's gun during a taxi fare dispute in the Philippines.

Chris Schnepers, 26, reportedly had a meltdown when he was overcharged by cabbie Raul Cabahug Kidat, 49, for a trip to the local airport in South Cotabato.

Patrolman Glenn Jeremy Collado, who was accompanying Chris to the General Santos City International Airport, tried to intervene but had his gun snatched by the Dutchman.

The firearm allegedly discharged multiple times, injuring the three men during the scuffle on Tuesday.

A rampaging Chris, seen in the video covered in blood, was later subdued and hauled to the General Santos City Police Station to face legal action.

Police Major Miguel Angelo Quidilla, chief of the General Santos City Police Station 2, said: 'The suspect was being escorted to the terminal by an officer from the Sarangani Police Provincial Office for a trip to the airport when he allegedly got into a heated argument with a tricycle driver.

'The officer tried to calm him down but the man became even more aggressive, grabbed the officer's gun, and fired, hitting both the driver and the policeman in the shoulder.

'The officer was able to take back his weapon and return fire, hitting the suspect in the shoulder as well. We are now preparing the appropriate charges.'

Authorities said they were also investigating if Chris, who has a one-year-old daughter with a Filipina partner, was legally staying in the country.