CEBU, Philippines - A 14-year-old boy is now fighting for his life after he was shot in the head by a man believed to be a barangay tanod, in Leon Kilat St., Barangay Kalubihan shortly before noon yesterday.
The alleged assailant, whose identity is being withheld pending confirmation, reportedly accused the victim of stealing scrap iron.
SPO4 Alex Dacua of the Homicide Section said based on information gathered at the crime scene, the victim was standing outside an eatery together with several other minors prior to the incident.
The victim and his companions were street kids and often frequented the area to beg for food.
A man approached the victim from behind and shot him without any warning. The victim fell to the ground as the assailant fled on foot.
The victim was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center. He was still unconscious as of last night, Dacua said.
The boy's younger brother said he was near the place when a friend who witnessed the incident rushed to tell him his brother had been shot.
The younger brother said he has yet to inform his parents about his brother's condition. He also said the victim is the ninth of 11 siblings, they live in Sitio Tangke Dos, Barangay Mambaling.
A companion of the victim who also witnessed the shooting incident identified the assailant as a barangay tanod, who patrols the area almost everyday.
"Tanod 'to siya kay nay nakasuwat na 'barangay tanod' likod sa iyang T-shirt unya pirme siya diha. Iya man gani ming bunalan," the witness said. The assailant also reportedly brings a radio tucked into his pants.
The victim's companions, all minors, said they can identify the assailant if they see him again.
Dacua said they responded to the area and went to meet with Kalubihan Barangay Captain Carmelo Milan to check on his barangay tanods.
Three barangay tanods were assigned to patrol the area yesterday. Dacua said two showed up but the other one did not, leading them to believe he was the one who shot the boy.
"Naa'y usa na posibleng mipusil sad but volunteer ra daw ni. But kaning barangay tanod g'yud, ming-fit man iyang description sa giingon sa mga naka-witness," Dacua said.
He further said that if the said barangay tanod fails to show up again this weekend, they will file a case against him on Monday.
"Posible naglagot na 'to siya sa mga bata kay mga libod-suroy man gud ni. Pabadlong usahay, pasanginlan mangawat ug scrap iron. But di man sad makatarungan nga iyang pusilon," Dacua said. — Niña G. Sumacot/BRP - THE FREEMAN