Student lynched in Sta. Cruz

MANILA, Philippines - A 17-year-old student was died after being lynched in front of the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMMC) in Sta. Cruz, Manila after welcoming the New Year at Rizal Park.

According to investigator PO2 Bernardo Cayabyab, Fernando Mendoza, his girlfriend and several cousins were on their way home to Tondo.

While in a passenger jeepney, two gay men were reportedly heckled by another passenger. The men slapped Mendoza, triggering a fistfight. The jeepney driver ordered all the passengers to alight. The two men and the victim continued their fight in front of the JRMMC.

A motorcyclist arrived and, together with some bystanders, beat up Mendoza. The motorcyclist then shot the victim in the chest. When the victim lay dying on the street, the motorcyclist and the bystanders fled in different directions.

A video of the incident has gone viral on the Internet.