Barangay kagawad survives slay try in Manila; gunman killed by mob

An alleged member of robbery gang was mauled and killed by a mob after he shot a barangay kagawad inside a billiard hall in Sampaloc, Manila shortly after midnight yesterday.

Gerry Gomez, alias Yoyoy, between 30 and 35 years old, of Nitang, Novaliches, Quezon City, was declared dead on arrival at the Chinese General Hospital for multiple injuries in the body and a gaping wound on the head.

Also taken at the same hospital was Leonardo Pemantera, 38, a kagawad of Barangay 484, Zone 48 in Sampaloc. He is currently recuperating from a gunshot wound in the leg.

Investigations conducted by SPO2 Virgo Villareal showed that at around 12:10 a.m., Gomez arrived at the Fernando Billiard Hall located at 1547 Prudencio street, Sampaloc and fired his gun in the air.

Proceeding upstairs, he saw Pemantera and fired again, hitting the latter in the leg. Billiard hall regulars then rushed to the aid of Pemantera and beat up the gunman, then pushed his limp body downstairs.

Responding policemen failed to recover the gunman’s firearm.

Police said Gomez was a known member of a robbery and holdup gang, while Pemantera allegedly acts as their fence.

The motive for Gomez’s failed slay try on Pemantera was an alleged double-cross on the sharing of the loot, according to a reliable police source.

The police are now hunting down a number of persons who reportedly took part in beating the gunman to death.

"They have to face the consequence of their acts for placing the law in their hands," Villareal said. – Nestor Etolle