Gang member shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A 17-year-old alleged member of the notorious Crips gang died after he was shot by an unidentified assailant on V. Sotto Street, Barangay Tinago around 2 a.m. yesterday.

Jason dela Peña, an out-of-school youth and resident of Sitio Silangan I in the same barangay succumbed to several gunshot wounds to his body.

Based on information gathered by the police, the victim was walking on his way home from a benefit dance in a nearby sitio when an unidentified assailant fired at him several times.

Police found the victim lying with his face down with gunshot wounds to his chest, nape, and back. He was pronounced dead by paramedics of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation.

Police suspect gang war as motive behind the attack.

Meanwhile, a taxi driver was seriously injured after he was shot twice by a motorcycle-riding gunman yesterday morning in an interior portion in St. Jude Acres, Barangay Bulacao.

Roque Bulagao, 38, driver of K-Factor Taxi, and a resident of the place, had just allegedly arrived and was opening the gate of the compound in Base 4 where he rents a house when the assailant shot him.

PO3 Wetzel Berry of the Homicide Section said Bulagao described the gunman as “quite old already.” After the incident, the assailant allegedly ran towards the corner where a yellow motorcycle driven by a cohort, wearing a full-face helmet was parked. The suspects then sped off.

Donjie Arias, owner of the compound, overheard the shots and rushed the victim, who was hit twice to the left side of his body, to the Cebu City Medical Center where he is presently being treated.

Two empty shells of a caliber .45 pistol were recovered from the crime scene.

Bulagao allegedly told police he had no idea why he was attacked as he doesn’t know anyone harboring a grudge against him because he is a good person. (FREEMAN NEWS)