2 men hurt in Caloocan brawl

MANILA, Philippines - Two men were mistakenly reported to be victims of stray bullets after they figured in a brawl that led to a shooting in Caloocan City Wednesday night, an official said yesterday.

Roy Villar, 23; Jeffrey Miralles, 27, and the latter’s cousin, Oliver Olit, had just bought ice from a store when they were accosted by a group of men drinking on the sidewalk at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 2nd street, city police chief Senior Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante said.

One of the men, identified only as Dennis, started punching Olit, triggering a brawl. Dennis reportedly drew a handgun and shot Villar in both legs and Miralles in the head.

Dennis and his companions escaped while Miralles was rushed to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, where he was erroneously reported as a stray bullet victim.

Bustamante said he has ordered a manhunt for Dennis and his group.