Three fratmen nabbed for shooting 2 rivals

CEBU, Philippines — Three members of a local gang in Mandaue City, including their leader, were arrested Monday afternoon during a hot pursuit operation in Consolacion town after they were accused of shooting two members of their rival fraternity.

Reynaldo “Buhawi” Cabatingan, 23, of Sitio Calderohan, Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City, was arrested by the police in an abandoned house, which serves as their hideout, in Barangay Cansaga, Consolacion.

Chief Inspector Aldrin Villacampa, commander of Mandaue City Police Office Station 1, said they also rescued 10 minors inside the hideout. A follow-up operation resulted in the arrest of Benedicto Dayoha, 37, and James Manto, 18, of Barangays Paknaan and Maguikay, respectively.

Dayoha and Manto admitted they are members of Cabatingan in OY Diamond Fraternity.

Villacampa said Cabatingan was tagged by witnesses as the gunman who killed Sonny Zoaso Ricania, 12, of Sitio Riverside Barangay Canduman and injured Edwin Delima Pepito, 17, of Sitio Ihawan, Barangay Mantuyong, Mandaue City at 3:30 a.m. Monday. Both Ricania and Pepito were members of another gang called “TAG.”

The police seized from Cabatingan a caliber .38 revolver with four rounds of ammunition and two empty shells.

Dayoha, a private company driver, denied any involvement in the crime allegedly committed by Cabatingan. According to him, he was sleeping when the alleged shooting happened.

Manto, on the other hand, said the firearm used by Cabatingan was borrowed by him from another friend. He said he borrowed gun for protection after he allegedly got text messages that he will be the next target after his uncle was killed.

Cabatingan said he did not intend to shoot the victims. According to him, he just wanted to scare them off because he was allegedly chased by them and other members of their rival gang. The victims and their companions were allegedly armed with knives and sticks.

"Ang uban man gud nigukod pataka lang pud ko’g pusil. Nagdala man sila'g kutsilyo ug pangpuspos," Cabatingan said.

Villacampa said they will continue to monitor and conduct night patrols in their area because of the presence of gangs.

"Magpatrolya ta pirmi sa area ug mag-civilian ang mga police kay kung mag uniform sila, manglikay sila. Kung mag-civilian kay aron makuha ang mga minors ba," Villacampa said.

The suspects are now detained at the MCPO-Station 1. The suspects will be charged with murder while the minors rescued from the gang’s hideout were sent home. — FPL (FREEMAN)