2 dead, one hurt in gang violence

CEBU, Philippines - Two teenagers were killed in a gang-related violent incident in barangay Tejero yesterday dawn.

The fatalities were identified as Kenneth Veloso, 18, and his rumored girlfriend, Anna Mary Bukiron, 14.

A companion of the victims, Jeffrey Villomo, 18, survived the attack.

The three are allegedly members of the Bloods gang and the suspect, Jordan Alueta, 18 and a resident of barangay Carreta is allegedly a member of rival gang Crips. He is also allegedly a former boyfriend of Bukiron.

The victims sustained several gunshot wounds.

Investigation showed that the victims were with other gang members in an alley at past 3 a.m. when the suspect, armed with a gun, appeared and fired at them several times without provocation.

Veloso was hit on the right part of his head, back, right lower arm and upper left leg. He died before reaching the Cebu City Medical Center.

Bukiron was hit on her back, right knee, and right forearm. She was pronounced dead at the hospital hours later.

Villomo, who was hit on the right forearm, survived.

Responding policemen from the Mobile Patrol Group and Waterfront Police Station conducted a manhunt operation at the suspect’s house, but failed to arrest him.

Nine empty 9 mm shells were recovered from the crime scene.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador said that the incident is part of the ongoing gang-related war in the city which he emphasized could be “solved primarily at the home fronts.”

Comendador said they will conduct the same investigation on the incident just like that of what they have done to solve the killing of the 14-year old acolyte (story on page 1).

CCPO-Homicide Section Chief Investigator Jay Yballe said the incident was most likely triggered by a love triangle.

He said that the suspect was most probably mad at both Veloso and Bukiron.

REWARD FOR CAPTURE

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is dangling a P50,000 reward to whoever will be able to pinpoint the suspect for the killing of Veloso and Bukiron.

Osmeña however clarified that they will run after individuals and not after gangs.

“We do not run after gangs, we run after individuals. But if the police can identify who the suspects are, enough to justify a warrant of arrest, then I will put a reward of P50,000,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña is worried that the series of reports of violence shows that the people no longer fear the law.

“I’m just worried that people are not scared of the police anymore and guess who suffers, the public. We’re assuming a greater risk because of this environment. People here do not fear the law, we’ll have a worse situation,” he said. – Niña Sumacot and Jessica Ann R. Pareja/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)