3 teens kill Manila barangay chief

MANILA, Philippines - A barangay chairman in Tondo, Manila was stabbed dead by at least three teenagers at past midnight yesterday, reportedly for sending two of them to jail.

The killing of Reynaldo Jornales, 55, chairman of Barangay 109, Zone 9, was apparently motivated by revenge, according to Manila Police District’s homicide section head Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo.

Residents told police that several months ago, Jornales and his tanods arrested Bernie Ladia, 19, and Leonel Enriquez, 19, for an armed attack on Kagawad Fred Martinez. The two are reportedly members of a street gang notorious for creating trouble in Jornales’ area of jurisdiction. Ladia was charged in court and incarcerated at the Manila City Jail for six months, while Enriquez managed to elude arrest. Ladia was released last Nov. 16 after an amicable settlement with the complainant. There were reports that Ladia and his gang vowed to exact revenge on Jornales.

Witnesses said Ladia, Enriquez and Macmac Arendela reportedly ganged up on Jornales and took turns stabbing him. Jornales was rushed to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, where he died.

According to barangay councilman Angelito Apostol, Jornales named the three teenagers as among those who attacked him. – Nestor Etolle