6 hurt in Tondo shooting spree

MANILA, Philippines - Six persons were wounded when a man ran amuck and went on a shooting rampage using a .45 caliber handgun in Tondo, Manila Saturday night.

Among the victims is three-year-old Jheszon Vhien Peralus, who was passing through the area after his parents brought him to see his godparents, according to Police Officer 3 Rowel Candelario.

The other gunshot victims are Neile Chester Ganantial, 27; Romeo Ganantial; Maita Vanessa Duag, 24; Aldrin Manlapaz, 21; and a certain Bongbong Gorgon.

Police said Edwin Galang, 38, allegedly started shooting people along Navarro street at around 7:30 p.m. after an altercation with Ganantial.

He only stopped after he was shot by Senior Police Officer 2 Denjamin Lumbad of the Quezon City Police District, who rushed to the scene.

PO1 Ariel Aguilar of the Malolos, Bulacan police was with Galang when the incident happened. He was invited by the MPD for questioning.

At least four of those wounded, including the suspect, were still in the Sta. Ana Hospital as of yesterday afternoon, said Candelario.

Galang’s neighbors told police he had allegedly been causing trouble at parties or gatherings in the area since last year. The trouble began when his brother figured in a drunken brawl with some residents in 2008, they said, adding that in a fiesta last year, Galang also pointed a gun at residents.

Police said Galang faces criminal charges for shooting six persons.