3 gangsters fall after Carreta shooting

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested three gang members for allegedly firing shots at a barangay hall early morning yesterday in General Maxilom Extension, barangay Carreta, Cebu City.

Arrested were Raymund Barrientos alias “Tupak,” 19, his younger brother Rollin Barrientos, 18, and Roberto Ludong alias “Madmax,” all alleged members of Bloods gang and residents of T. Padilla Street.

The complainants were identified as barangay tanods Ricardo Libre and Allan Obiña, both of legal ages, and 24-year-old Peter John Lubon, a quarter master of Sulpicio Lines Inc. and resident of barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

The barangay tanods told police that they were on duty past 4 a.m. and had just conducted roving operations regarding the presence of a suspicious group of youngsters in the vicinity of the barangay hall where the suspects, along with six other unidentified persons, fired shots at them several times.

They added they were able to duck for safety within the concrete fence while the bullets hit and damaged the window of the barangay hall.

While the suspects were fleeing from the area, they still open fired grazing the right temple of Lubon, who was just passing by the area on his way to work. Barangay tanods brought Lubon to Cebu City Medical Center for treatment of minor wound he sustained.

Responding policemen recovered three empty shells and a slug of .45 caliber of handgun from the crime area.

Ludong was also taken to CCMC after shot and hit on his right foot by a still unidentified barangay tanod who also chased and shot at the suspects while they were fleeing from the area.

In an interview with reporters yesterday, Raymund alleged that he only wanted to avenge his 17-year-old brother who was shot dead by Crips gang members last April 19 inside the Chinese Garden Cemetery.

He said they did not mean to open fire at the barangay hall and the officials but it so happened that some persons whom they thought were Crips gang members ran towards the barangay hall.

Raymund alleged that he was only able to kill once and the weapon he used was bought in Danao City for only P1,000.

The suspects were arrested through a follow-up operation by police yesterday morning.

Police are now preparing the charges of frustrated murder, attempted murder, and malicious mischief that will be filed against the three suspects soon. — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)