Stray bullet kills student in Caloocan; tanod wanted

MANILA, Philippines - A student who was passing time in front of his house was killed by a stray bullet fired by a barangay watchman during a brawl in Caloocan City Saturday night.

Joel Sumande Jr., 18, was sitting in front of his house on Josefina street off 3rd Avenue at around 11 p.m. when Barangay 118 tanod Francisco Martinez, 42, arrived in the area and engaged the group of a certain John Vincent Responso in a fight, said Caloocan police investigation chief Senior Inspector Gaylord Tamayo.

Responso said Martinez pulled out a gun and shot at them but hit Sumande instead, according to Tamayo.

Martinez fled following the incident, he added.

Two minors were hit by stray bullets in Caloocan City in previous months: seven-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella, who died after being hit in the head on New Year’s Eve; and Jhon Kerth Galang, 16, who lost the sight in his left eye when he was hit in the head in February.