Councilman, sons kill cop's son in Pasay

MANILA, Philippines - A barangay official and his sons allegedly killed a Southern Police District policeman’s 16-year-old son at the Pasay City sports complex yesterday afternoon.

Raymart Cruz was declared dead on arrival at the Pasay City General Hospital after suffering two stab wounds in the chest.

He was swimming with his friends at the city sports complex about 2 p.m. when around 20 men, reportedly led by Barangay 127 councilman Alex Panchito and sons Alwin and Alvin, barged into the complex.

According to Cruz’s friend, Jojie Ambeguia, the men were armed with knives and guns when they proceeded to the area on board barangay-owned vehicles.

Another of Cruz’s friends, Francis Martinez, said the group of Alwin’s younger brother, Alexis, was already provoking them to a fight at the pool area “when all of a sudden the group arrived.”

“We were outnumbered inside so we ran only to find out that outside the sports complex another group was waiting for us,” said Martinez.

Cruz’s friends were whipped, punched, and kicked by the Panchitos, said Ambeguia, whose suffered several lash wounds. Ambeguia said the next thing they saw was Cruz’s body lying on the ground 50 meters away from pool area’s exit, with blood stains all over the walkway.

‘Abusive’

In an interview with The STAR, Alwin admitted stabbing Cruz. He said he was just trying to protect Alexis, who he claimed has been bullied by the “abusive” Cruz.

“I was just protecting my brother. If I can protect other people, why not my brother?” Alwin said.

He said he could no longer remember how the fight started but said he remembered stabbing Cruz near his armpit.

When asked if he regretted what happened, Alwin shook his head and said: “What can I do? I’m already here? Can they just please release my brother (Alvin) because he has nothing to do with this.”

Alvin, for his part, maintained his innocence. He said he was only in the area to fetch Alexis, who asked for help. Their father, meanwhile, remains at large.

‘Disarmed’

Cruz’s father, identified only as Bobet, was on duty when the incident happened. He was disarmed first before he was allowed to enter the Pasay City investigation division.

Cruz’s aunt, Mildred, kept crying outside the hospital while shouting at the Panchito brothers’ friends and accusing them of having a hand in her nephew’s death.

Mildred was pacified by her brother, who later sat in a corner and broke into tears.