1 killed, 2 wounded in Novaliches brawl

A factory worker was shot dead while his two colleagues were seriously injured during a free-for-all brawl involving more than 30 guests at a baptismal party in Novaliches, Quezon City Sunday.

Victim Joey Gaton, 30, of 116 Damong Malit, Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, sustained bullet wounds in the body and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bernardino Hospital.

Eduarto Tagum, 29, and Barry Austria, 25, both of Barangay Culiat, Quezon City, suffered deep gashes and bruises.

Police arrested 10 men in the process, whom they believe initiated the fight. They are now detained at the Central Police District headquarters while awaiting formal charges to be filed.

They were identified as Romeo Elisan, 25, Reymante Payas, 30, Jaime Escasinas, 31, his younger brother Ronald, 25, Jessie Prudente, Alfredo Ilisan, 22, Jonathan Tecson, 27, Ronnie Castro, 43, Jomarie Elisan, and Agustin Enado.

All the 10 suspects were guests at a baptismal party being held at Pasacula Dulo Dormitory located at Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon in Novaliches.

Investigators said that the scuffle broke out at about 5 p.m. after Gaton, together with Tagum, Austria, and their other friends, allegedly gave one of their victims dagger looks.

The victim were reportedly having a drinking session outside the dormitory while the suspects were having the party. Romeo Elisan thought Gaton was giving him the evil eye as he immediately confronted him.

A heated argument ensued and a rumble between the guests and Gaton’s group which according to police sources, consisted of about 30 men.

During the fight, Elisan pulled out a handgun and without warning, repeatedly shot Gaton in the chest. Tagum and Austria were also injured in the melee.

The scuffle ended after policemen arrived on the scene, as most of the protagonists scampered in different directions to avoid arrest. Gaton was later brought to the hospital where he died at about 5:35 p.m.

Meanwhile, a three-year-old girl was seriously injured after he was accidentally shot by her uncle who was tinkering with a home made gun in Tondo, Manila Sunday night.

Taken to the Jose Reyes Memorial Center is Janice Ocampo, of Unit 29, Building 11, Temporary Housing in Tondo, Manila. Police said the suspect, Anthony Ocampo managed to elude arrest and is now being tracked-down.

Investigation showed that Anthony was toying with the gun at about 10 p.m. when it suddenly went off, hitting Janice in the right side of the stomach. – Matthew Estabillo and Mike Frialde