1 dead, 2 hurt in Caloocan brawl

A dance instructor was killed while two others were seriously injured during a street brawl before dawn yesterday in Caloocan City.

Police identified the fatality as Gilbert Montella, 18, of 158 Binangunan street in Maypajo, also in Caloocan.

Montella’s two companions, identified as Rico Caparas, 30, and Ralph Ross Teraza, 18, both his neighbors, are now confined at the MCU Hospital.

Montella died of stab wounds in the chest and left side of his body while the two other victims sustained single stab wounds each in the body.

Police prober SPO2 Roland Mendoza said that at around 1 a.m. yesterday, Montella’s group bumped into a group of neighborhood toughies along Dimasalang street in Maypajo.

During the confrontation, a heated verbal argument ensued, resulting in a free for all.

The melee was only stopped when Montella and his two companions fell bloodied on the ground.

Police are now hunting down at least 10 suspects. Four of them were identified as Rodel Tiburana, his brother Melencio, Eduardo Vergara, and Raymund Gensenlosa, all of Demasalang street, Maypajo, Caloocan City.

Meanwhile, a fire of still unknown origin destroyed a furniture shop last Sunday night in Valenzuela City.

Senior Fire Officer 3 Arnel Ybasco of Valenzuela City Central Fire Station said the fire broke out at Raime River Enterprises at 10 Dizon Compound, Mercado street in Barangay Maysan at around 11:10 p.m.

Firefighters took more than three hours in controlling the blaze. They were able put it out at around 3:23 a.m.

No one was reported injured in the said incident.

Arson investigators were still trying to determine yesterday the cause of the blaze.