One hurt in Tejero "gang war"

CEBU, Philippines - The hostility between “Bloods” and “Crips” gangs continues with the 17-year-old boy as the latest victim when he was shot thrice in Morelos Street, Villagonzalo II, Barangay Tejero yesterday morning.

The victim bore three gunshot wounds to his body and is now recuperating at the Cebu City Medical Center.

Jim (not his real name), an alleged member of Crips, alleged to the police that he was with his friend sitting on a bench beside a barbeque store at around 1 a.m. when a taxicab passed by the area. The cab reportedly turned back minutes later and stopped around two meters away from them.

Just then, a man he identified as a certain “Topi,” allegedly alighted from the front passenger side of the vehicle and shot him thrice hitting him to the right chest, left thumb and left ring finger. One of the four companions of the suspect who was seated at the back seat was also armed with a gun.

Upon noticing the incident, Barangay T. Padilla tanod Charles Angga, who happened to be at the vicinity of CPILS along M.J. Cuenco Avenue, responded and gave a chase. Topi and his companions tried to board back the taxicab but the driver sped off.

This prompted the suspects to flee on foot towards T. Padilla while Topi’s companion allegedly dropped the gun he was holding.

Angga recovered from the crime scene two empty shells of .45 caliber and a home-made caliber .22 snub-nose without serial number and with one live bullet.

The evidences were turned over to the responding Mobile Patrol Group and then to the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office.

PO2 Leroy Baguio of the Homicide Section said that Topi’s companion intentionally dropped the gun while fleeing.

Baguio disclosed that the incident was fraternity-related as the victim is a Crips member while the suspects belong to the rival “Bloods” gang.

The investigator said the victim was not able to get the plate numbers of the taxicab but they were able to identify the driver as an adult they used to recognize and call “Tatay.” — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)