Brawl kills 1, hurts 1

CEBU, Philippines – A family Christmas celebration ended up in a tragedy with one of its members being killed while another is in critical condition after they figured in a bloody confrontation with a group of young men in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City shortly after midnight on Friday.

Kerk Ivan Sollano, 20, was shot dead while his cousin, Jenriel, 20, is in critical condition because of several stabbed wounds in the body. The Sollanos were supposed to be having a family Christmas party in Barangay Sambag I, Cebu City but left the party to confront a group of youngsters at corner P. Del Rosario Extension and V. Rama Avenue whom Jenriel’s father, Uriel, had a fistfight earlier.

Police investigation revealed that Uriel had an argument with the youngsters that resulted in his being mauled. Uriel allegedly passed by the group of the suspects and rebuked them for firing an improvised cannon or ‘lantaka’ at him.

Uriel confronted Raulito Labiste but a certain Wilbert Torno reportedly picked the fight with him. Uriel was mauled by the group but was pacified by barangay tanod Roger Escaran who happened to pass by the area.

Uriel went home and reported what had happened to him to his son and their relatives who were there to celebrate Christmas. Jenriel and Kerk Ivan together with the other relatives wanted to get back at the attackers of Uriel resulting in the bloody confrontation. Kerk Ivan was shot dead while Jenriel was stabbed.

Labiste and Torno, however, were arrested during a follow up operation and are now detained at the San Nicolas Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges. —(FREEMAN)