4 stab teen during Good Friday procession

MANILA, Philippines - Four persons attacked a teenager who joined a Good Friday procession in Tondo, Manila and caused a stampede to prevent people from helping their victim.

Police Officer 3 Joe Cabuhat said Ronnie Boy Mendoza, 19, was treated at an undisclosed hospital for several stab wounds. No one was hurt in the stampede, police said.

Mendoza’s unidentified attackers – a teenage girl and three men – fled following the attack and after breaking up the procession along Nolasco street Friday night. Cabuhat said the incident happened at around 7 p.m. Friday.

Mendoza and some of his friends and neighbors joined the procession, which featured images of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). Unknown to the victim, the three men and the girl – armed with empty bottles – joined the crowd as well.

When the procession reached Nolasco Street, the three men broke the bottles and attacked Mendoza. The girl pulled out a .38 caliber revolver and started shooting in the air, causing a stampede in order to stop the crowd from helping their victim.

Cabuhat said the suspects apparently took advantage of the confusion to flee, leaving behind the badly wounded teenager. Mendoza was rushed to the nearest hospital by his relatives and friends.