Caloocan family feud turns deadly: 1 dead, 1 hurt

MANILA, Philippines - A jobless man was killed and his grandfather critically wounded when a neighbor, with whom they have an ongoing feud, attacked them in Caloocan City Friday night.

Dennis Batac, 22, died on the way to the hospital from a bullet wound in the head while Dominador Reyes, 60, is confined at the Dr. Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center due to gunshot wounds in the right leg and in his back.

Police Officer 2 Felipe Woo said the victims, with two friends identified only as Bong and Mar, were having a drinking spree outside Batac’s house when Albert Cleofas, the victims’ neighbor, allegedly shot Batac at close range with a handgun without provocation at around 6:15 p.m.

Cleofas fled after hitting Batac in the head. Reyes was about to bring his grandson to the hospital when the suspect – accompanied by his father, Alberto Cleofas, and his brother-in-law, identified only as Joey – returned and shot at Reyes, who ran into his house.

The suspects, who reportedly harbor an old grudge against the victims’ family, fired several shots at the victims’ house before fleeing. Police are still hunting down the three suspects. – Pete Laude