Bad day for Good Samaritans

A barangay councilman died Tuesday night in Tondo, Manila while trying to pacify members of two gangs fighting over a missing stainless bicycle.

Victim Gerardo Jose, 43, of Buenas street, Tondo, Zone 6, District 1, was shot in the leg but died when he fell and hit his head hard on the pavement, police said.

Suspect Rogelio Usero, 42, an aircon technician, and a resident of Juan Nolasco Street, was immediately arrested by the authorities.

Usero reportedly intended to shoot one Ronnel Abulos but hit the councilman instead, case investigator Senior Police Officer 2 Virgio Villareal said.

Investigation showed that around 11 p.m., members of the two gangs were fighting at the corner of Tomas Bugallon and Limay streets because of the bicycle.

Abulos, 23, reportedly borrowed it from a companion of Usero earlier this week.

Abulos claimed to have returned it, but Usero did not believe him and hit him with the butt of a homemade caliber .38 caliber pistol, triggering a fight.

Jose chanced upon the melee while doing his rounds.

The councilman tried to break up the fight but Usero reportedly fired a shot, aiming at Abulos, but hit Jose instead in the leg.

He was rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila and died of massive bleeding while undergoing treatment.

In Makati City, a man was shot while trying to help a holdup victim yesterday.

Edgardo Bartolome, 40, a resident of Kalayaan street, Barangay Olympia, Makati City is currently confined at the Makati Medical Center after being shot in the body.

Investigation conducted by PO2 Eric Rodriguez of the Makati police homicide division, revealed the incident took place at 12:30 a.m. along Kalayaan corner Zapote streets.

Pedestrian Armando Vergara was walking along the street when the suspect identified as Rodel Abbas, 28, a resident of Batasan Hills, Quezon City, held him up at gunpoint.

After taking Vergara’s valuables, Abbas ran towards his female companion who was waiting near a parked taxicab.

Bartolome, hearing Vergara’s shout for help, tried to block the fleeing Abbas.

The suspect fired a shot at Bartolome who fell to the pavement. Bartolome managed to pick himself up and continued to go after the suspect.

Patrolling members of the barangay’s Bantay Bayan heard the commotion and managed to apprehend Abbas. While his female cohort managed to escape. – Nikko Dizon, Marvin Sy