Frat elder gunned down by rivals

The rivalry between two warring campus fraternities turned bloody yesterday with the slaying of a 33-year-old group elder who was gunned down in front of the National University in Sampaloc, Manila.

Police found the body of Ronaldo de Guzman, alias "Boy Life," of Sampaloc, slumped on a wooden bench, a few yards away from the main gate of the National University along Jhocson street. He had three gunshot wounds in the face.

According to officer-on-case SPO2 Edgardo Paterno, the victim was allegedly shot by one of the members of the Tau Gamma fraternity, a rival group for campus supremacy of the Scout Royale Brotherhood (SRB), the youth arm of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity.

Members of the Tau Gamma and SRB have figured in several clashes inside and outside of the university.

At around 9 a.m. yesterday, SRB member Mark Gino Ponce was allegedly attacked by Tau Gamma members, triggering a free-for-all.

An hour later, four SRB members reported the incident to the victim, who happened to be one of the group’s elders and protectors.

It was at this point when a taxi arrived carrying four men armed with guns. The suspects, who introduced themselves as Tau Gamma members, reportedly poked their guns at the heads of the four young SRB members.

One of the armed men suddenly fired three shots at the victim.

"Takot na takot po ako. Buti na lang hindi nila kami binaril. Pinabayaan na lang nila kaming tumakbo ng duguan na si Boy Life," Ponce said.

Witnesses described the killer as between 25 and 30 years old, of medium built and wearing eyeglasses.

SRB members said the suspects were seen casing their university campus for several days following their bitter clashes with the rival fraternity.

Paterno said three spent shells from a caliber 9 mm were recovered at the site of the shooting.