2 teens arrested for bystander’s death in street riot

MANILA, Philippines - A 13-year-old boy and his 18-year-old companion were arrested for allegedly firing a gun during a gang fight in a Quezon City neighborhood, killing a bystander.

Cristobal Martinez, 18, is facing charges for the Thursday night incident that caused the death of an onlooker, the injury of another bystander and that of a girl who reportedly belonged to a rival group.

Assistant city prosecutor Conrado Rosario recommended charges of homicide, attempted homicide, and physical injuries against Martinez.

The 13-year-old suspect was turned over to social workers following the fight on Agno street in Barangay Tatalon.

The fiscal ordered further investigation on the cases against the boy as well as a certain Angelica Marquez and Arjay Martinez, who remain at large.

Police Officer 3 Jamie de Jesus said the brawl was reportedly between two rival youth groups in the neighborhood.

Christian Irac, 20, suffered a gunshot wound in the torso and died following the incident while resident Domingo Fernandez, 21, was hit by a bullet.

Before the brawl, Marquez and two others were on a motorcycle when they nearly sideswiped the rival group of Jennica Abas. Later, a village watchman saw Marquez and her companions return to the area and meet with the Martinez brothers and the boy. De Jesus said the men went back, trying to stab Abas but failing to hit her.

A watchman from Barangay Valencia, Manuel Ledesma, saw this and confiscated the fan knife from Marquez. This irked Martinez, who fired his homemade handgun in the air, hitting Irac and Fernandez.

After the brawl, the suspects scampered off. Cristobal and the 13-year-old suspect were arrested the next morning when policemen went there with Abas and Ledesma to conduct follow-up operations.