Gang member falls; farmer shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay tanods in Tejero, Cebu City arrested a 15-year-old gang member after a shootout between members of the rival gangs “Crips” and “Bloods” past 1 a.m. yesterday along McArthur Blvd.

Arnold Garbo, chief tanod of Barangay Tejero, said they arrested the suspect, a resident of T. Padilla, for possessing an improvised shotgun known as a "pugakhang." The suspect has a “Bloods” tattoo in his right hand. 

Residents in the area heard three gunshots from the group of the suspect and still unidentified members of the rival gang. 

"Nagdinaganay na man na sila human nagpinusilay. Kaning grupo sa suspek dinhi man ni agi sa Villagonzalo I mao nga nakit-an sa duty tanod ug gidakop kay naghupot man og armas," Garbo said.

The suspect said the improvised shotgun is not his but belonged to one of his fellow gang members. 

"Ako man to sila gibadlong nga dili moapil sa pinusilay mao nga gikuha nako ang armas pero ako na hinoon ang nadakpan," the suspect said.

Police believe the suspect was involved in the killing of student of the Tejero Elementary School, who is a member of Crips, last year inside the school premises.

Meanwhile, a 56-year-old farmer was shot dead by an unknown assailant while he was taking his cow home from the pasture in barangay Gaas, Balamban town, last Monday evening.

The victim was identified as Nestorio Tejero, a resident of sitio Mayana of the said barangay.

Police said neighbors heard three gunshots before finding his body about 50 meters away from his house. The victim had been killed instantly after being shot in the head and chest.

Police also found he was carrying a .22 cal. revolver with six live rounds. – Ramil V. Ayuman and Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)