Teenager shot with improvised gun

CEBU, Philippines - A marble was embedded in the stomach of a teenager who was shot with an improvised weapon locally known as lantaka in Alegria town last Thursday.

Gilbert Besin, 18, was still conscious when taken to the hospital but he felt unceasing pain in his stomach, SPO4 Rutillo Cardona of Alegria Police Station said.

Emiliano Quintanis, 30, the suspect, was later arrested.

A lantaka, Cardona said, is an improvised weapon usually used by residents in Alegria for hitting cats, dogs, and other animals that harms the residents’ pets or goods.

The weapon is two to three feet long and is made of PVC. A dismantled lighter is used as the trigger and when it’s clicked, the alcohol or lighter fluid inside sparks and pushes the marble, Cardona explained.

Cardona said that Besin and Quintanis, who are actually friends, earlier watched a cockfight in Barangay Legaspi as part of the festivities of their annual fiesta celebration.

After the cockfight, the two walked their way home but they figured in a verbal tussle along the way that eventually led into a fistfight.

Investigation further showed that Besin reportedly overpowered Quintanis, which prompted the latter to leave and rush home while Besin remained.

About 15 minutes later, the victim decided to proceed to his house. He was about 50 meters away when he saw the suspect apparently waiting for him to arrive.

The suspect then shot him with a lantaka before running away from the place.

The marble, which served as the lantaka’s bullet, hit and was embedded in the right side of Besin’s stomach, Cardona said.

The victim managed to run to the Alegria Police Station where he slumped on the ground. Police took him to the Reinhard North General Hospital and was later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City for a surgical operation.

The suspect, who was allegedly about to surrender to the police, was arrested in his house.

—(FREEMAN)