Alleged gang member stabs construction worker

CEBU, Philippines - A construction worker was hospitalized after he was stabbed by a young man, believed to be a member of a gang, over cigarette early yesterday morning on S. Osmeña St., Barangay Carreta.

Elizar Larwap, 51, a stay-in welder who works for Icon Construction, was injured in his stomach and was rushed by his co-workers to Chong Hua Hospital for treatment.

The victim told police that he was with his co-workers eating balut at the roadside around 2:30 a.m. when a young man, who was together with a group of other men, approached and asked for cigarette from him.

The victim then gave half of the cigarette he has consumed which was believed to have irked the perpetrator, who suddenly approached the victim and stabbed him in the upper left side of the stomach.

Larwap, a resident of Campo 8, Minglanilla, was rushed by his co-workers to the hospital for treatment while the suspect fled.

PO2 Jodan Batucan of the Homicide Section said the men, who approached the victim, were believed to be members of a notorious gang that used to hang in the area.

Meanwhile, a laborer was shot by an unidentified motorcycle-riding person on Katipunan St., Barangay Tisa Friday night.

Jonathan Hidalgo, legally aged, and a resident of Sitio Tambisan, landed at the hospital after he was shot to the left temple.

Rommel Hidalgo, cousin of the victim, alleged they were about to close the eatery were both he and the victim work when the gunman suddenly fired at the victim, who, by that time, was washing his used apron at the kitchen.

The perpetrator was allegedly seen alighting from the motorcycle around two meters away from the unaware victim.

Jonathan is currently being treated at the Cebu City Medical Center while the perpetrator was able to flee.   (FREEMAN NEWS)