Dirty finger sparks shooting in Malabon

A dirty finger sparked a shootout between two feuding groups resulting in the injury to two passerby even as five were arrested Tuesday night in Malabon City.

Senior Superintendent Freddie Panen, city police chief, identified the injured as Reynadlo Cruz, 29, and Edward Salayao, 21, both from Barangay Longos, Malabon City. Cruz was hit in the abdomen while Salayo took a bullet in the left arm.

Police said the shooting erupted at around 9 p.m. Tuesday along Hiwas street near corner Hasa-Hasa Street, Longos.

Police said a certain "Michael" flashed a dirty finger at Noli del Rosario of Block 12, Hiwas street. A verbal tussle soon erupted between the two. At the height of their argument, a certain alias "Ulo" appeared at the scene brandishing a homemade shotgun and poked it at Del Rosario.

He wriggled out of trouble then ran back to their house. When he returned, he was armed with a shotgun, backed up by his companions, who were armed with bladed weapons.

Del Rosario then started shooting at "Ulo" and "Michael" but missed, hitting instead Cruz and Salayao. The victims were taken to the Pagamutang Bayan ng Malabon for treatment. Cruz was later transferred to the Tondo Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound in the abdomen.

Local barangay watchmen turned over Del Rosario to elements of the PCP 3 headed by Inspector Allan Emlano. Recovered from the suspects were the firearm, and 10 bullets. The police then arrested Del Rosario, cousins Wilfredo, Abelardo, and Saturnino, all surnamed Bertos; and Roger Panong. – Jerry Botial