2 youth gang members hurt in Manila shooting

An 18-year-old out-of-school youth is now in critical condition, while a 16-year-old gang member was wounded in a shooting incident following a riot between warring youth gangs in Sampaloc, Manila past midnight yesterday.

Doctors at the Ospital ng Maynila gave Jolly Lictawa, of Sampaloc, a slim chance of survival due to a gunshot wound in the back. His companion, Aldrin Jimenez, also of Sampaloc, is under observation for a gunshot wound in the right shoulder.

Both victims are members of the True Brown Style Gang, one of several youth gangs which figure in nightly riots in the streets of Sampaloc.

Police said the victims, together with fellow gang members, were on their way home following a rumble with a rival gang when a motorcycle blocked their path.

Thinking that the man on board was a policeman, the youths scampered in different directions. The suspect then pulled out a gun and fired at the fleeing youths.

The shot hit Jimenez on the shoulder, the bullet exiting and hitting Lictawa in the back. The gunman then drove off in the direction of A.H. Lacson.

The victims were first rushed to the Ospital ng Sampaloc, but due to the seriousness of their wounds they were transferred to the Ospital ng Maynila.

Witnesses described the gunman as between 25 and 30 years old, at least 5’4" tall, with short hair and heavily built.

Investigators are still determining the type of gun used in the shooting.

The almost nightly riots between street gangs has raised concern among residents, who noted the weakness of police to put a stop to the street anarchy.

Police, however, also blame barangay officials for their failure to maintain peace and order among their constituents.

Last week, a 40-year-old housewife was hit by a stray bullet fired by one of the warring gangs during a riot in Singalong, Manila.

Emily Castro, of Singalong, suffered a gunshot wound in the neck.

Police said the victim was in front of her house at the height of a riot along Meding corner Muñoz streets when shots were heard.

Her housemates later discovered the victim slumped on the pavement, blood oozing from her neck. – Nestor Etolle