4 dead, 2 hurt in Malabon turf war

MANILA, Philippines – Four alleged members of a crime gang were killed by a rival group, whose members attacked the victims on their own ground in Barangay Tunsuya, Malabon City before dawn yesterday.

Oscar Ibo, 50; his son Makro, 21; Michael Manuel, 22; and Jim Galvez, 27, residents of Gozon Compound on Letre Road and members of the Siete Bulabog gang, died on the spot from gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Two other reported members of the gang, brothers Jensen and JR Rimando, were also wounded in the attack. They were brought to the Tondo Medical Center and to Dr. Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, respectively.

Barangay tanod Lilibeth Mondares, 49, said at least seven members of the Avatar gang, armed with .45 and 9mm pistols and improvised shotguns, attacked as the victims were drinking in an Internet shop in Gozon Compound at around 4:30 a.m.

Investigators recovered 20 shells for .45 and .9mm pistols from the crime scene, Mondares said.

“Siete Bulabog and Avatar are two notorious neighborhood gangs. When members of the rival group stray onto the other group’s turf, they die,” Mondares told The STAR.

Mondares said that as a result of the two conflict, at least 15 reported gang members have died in just a matter of three months.

Elina Macario, Galvez’ aunt, said her nephew is not a gangster and not involved in any crime. She said he had gone to a drinking bout with friends. “It only happened that he was around when the attack occurred,” she said.

However, another resident said that local police officers are hesitant to enter their area because several of his neighbors have guns. “Most of the conflicts here are settled with guns and even the police can’t easily penetrate our area,” he said.

He said that every time a member of Avatar or Siete Bulabog dies, it is expected that “vengeance” would take place in just a matter of days.

Two members of media – photojournalist Dick Melendrez and tabloid reporter Alberto Orsolino, who were residents of Gozon Compound – were killed in the area a few years back.