2 boys charged with murder for killing another boy

MANILA, Philippines -  Two teenage boys were charged with murder for allegedly killing another teenager in a street fight in Caloocan City Wednesday night.

Police Officer 2 Bobby Mario Egera, in a Feb. 5 investigation report submitted to city police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos, said “Erz,” 14, and “Josh,” 16, are in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office.

Assistant city prosecutor Darwin Canete, who conducted the inquest proceedings, recommended that the local DSWD determine whether the boys acted with discernment in committing the crime.

Egera said victim John Patrick Pederiane, 17, of Barangay 122 in Grace Park, was walking home along Ligaya street with his younger brother and friends when they were attacked by the suspects’ gang, armed with improvised shotguns, pen guns and stones.

Pederiane suffered a bullet wound in the chest. He died on the way to the Manila Central University Hospital.

Pederiane’s friends, accompanied by Barangay 122 councilman Lito Reyes, sought the assistance of Police Community Precinct 4 police officers, who arrested the two boys. The other suspects – identified only as Tok-Tok, Ivan, RJ and Gin – remain at large.