Student stabbed dead by 7 teens

MANILA, Philippines - A 17-year-old student was beaten and stabbed dead by at least seven teen gang members at past midnight yesterday in San Andres Bukid, Manila.

Police said criminology student Gerald John Capuz, of Palanan, Makati City, was declared dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Sta. Ana. He sustained two stab wounds in the neck and body.

Inspector Armando Macaraeg, chief of the homicide section of the Manila Police District, identified the suspects as Ronald Roque, Gerald Almoradie, Emmanuel Verba, Nicorenzo Barruelo, Jessie Boy Angeles, a certain “Omar” and a certain “Christopher,” reportedly members of the Westside-Bahala na Gang teen chapter.

Macaraeg said Capuz went to his girlfriend’s house in San Andres Bukid, where he had a drinking spree with his acquaintances. At past midnight, Roque’s group joined them.

For still unknown reasons, Roque reportedly slapped Capuz’s girlfriend, which prompted the victim to retaliate. Roque and his gang beat the victim. After the beating, Capuz’s friends rushed him to the hospital. Police recovered an icepick, which witnesses said belonged to Almoradie, at the scene of the incident.

Witnesses said members of the Westside-Bahala na Gang are known toughies in San Andres Bukid, with Roque usually starting the trouble.

Macaraeg has formed a police team to hunt down the suspects, whose identities were established through their Facebook accounts.