Gang member killed, 2 others hurt

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged member of a known street gang was killed while his companion and a civilian were hurt when two motorcycle-riding men open fired at them in Barangay Cansaga, Consolacion town Monday evening.

Police said the fatality, 16-year-old Junrey “Liboy” Padilla suffered from a single gunshot wound to the forehead while Aaron Paul Verallo, also 16, and his neighbor in Sitio Purok 7, Barangay Nangka, sustained a gunshot wound to the body. Both are alleged members of Bloods gang.

Another victim, Jeffrey Quiapo, 29, a traffic enforcer of the town, was allegedly hit by a stray bullet while he was buying an electronic load for his cell phone at a nearby sari-sari store.

Padilla died on the spot, while Verallo and Quiapo were rushed to a hospital in Cebu City.

PO1 Alvin Velasquez said Verallo and Padilla were walking towards the national highway of Barangay Cansaga from a sari-sari store when two men, who were boarding a motorcycle appeared. One of the suspects, who was identified as “Bambam” Tagalog, a resident of Barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City then shot the two boys using undetermined caliber of firearm.

Police believe the two boys were planning to have a drinking spree because of the piece of ice and liquor found in their possessions.

Padilla allegedly collapsed after he was hit to the forehead while Verallo, who was hit to the body still managed to run back to the sari-sari store where Quiapo was buying E-load and collapsed.

Quiapo also later noticed that he was also hit to his right leg.

The assailants allegedly fled towards Liloan town.

Prior to the incident, a witness said he saw the perpetrators going back and forth on board a black motorcycle without a plate number.

Velasquez said the suspects possibly used a .357 revolver or .38 revolver since no empty shell was found in the crime scene.

Police are now doing a background check on Padilla and Verallo, who are both members of Bloods gang.

“Possible gang war ni kay basta miyembro ka dumot-dumot man dayon, kusog sad ni manghasi ang namatay,” Velasquez told The FREEMAN. – (FREEMAN)