MANILA, Philippines - Four persons died and two others, including a 10-year-old boy, were wounded in separate incidents during the New Years’ Eve revelry in Manila.
Police said the fatalities were either shot or stabbed when their merrymaking turned rowdy due to excessive drinking.
In Sampaloc, Fernando Rivera Sr., 57, was sitting on a motorcycle parked along Maria Clara street when two men on a motorcycle tried to grab his gold necklace.
One of the robbers shot Rivera when the victim put up a fight. Police are studying footage of the shooting taken by a surveillance camera to identify Rivera’s killers, who wore full-face helmets.
In Tondo, two men riding tandem on a motorcycle shot at a group of drinkers, killing Elpidio de Juan Jr., 42. Ten-year-old James Nagal and Reynalda Uy, 30, were hit by stray bullets.
The attackers’ faces were covered by white handkerchiefs, according to witnesses.
In Sta. Ana, police arrested Henry Villarin, 33, a reported Bahala na Gang member, for killing 19-year-old Rodel Rodriguez.
Villarin reportedly resented Rodriguez telling him to refrain from lighting up loud firecrackers. The two traded blows until Villarin drew out a knife and repeatedly stabbed the victim.
Meanwhile, Romeo Pelano, 40, was found by a passerby lying on the pavement in front of Pier 12 at the North Harbor. He was taken to the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital, where he died while being treated for multiple stab wounds.
Witnesses said they saw the victim was drunk and walking aimlessly in the same area, but could not identify his attacker.