Companion also hurt in attack IT student shot dead by gangs

CEBU, Philippines - A college student was killed while his companion was injured after they were shot by an assailant in what was believed to be a gang-related incident yesterday dawn in Sitio Villagonzalo, Barangay Tejero.

The fatality was identified as Melvin Laureo, 22, while his friend was identified as Ejemar Gantalao, 19.

Initial investigation showed that Laureo and Gantalao were approaching a footbridge on their way home past 3 a.m. yesterday when an unidentified man walking behind them suddenly fired at them several times.

Laureo died on the spot due to gunshot wounds in the right arm and nape while Gantalao was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center where he was treated for gunshot wounds in the shoulder and left side of his body.

The assailant, whose identity remains unknown, disappeared.

SPO1 Victor Ruel Ayuman said they are still checking different angles as to what triggered the assailant to shoot the victims.

The surviving victim was not also able to take a good look at the assailant, he said.

Laureo's mother, Liza, told police that her son was a former member of a fraternity, but she did not know which fraternity.

Liza mourned her son, saying the victim had just turned over a new leaf and stopped from joining

any fraternity. He was reportedly taking his education seriously to help the family after he graduates.

She and her husband, both garbage collectors, admitted their son was formerly a naughty boy, but all that changed when he started going to school.

Earlier that day, the victim asked permission to go outside. Normally, the victim would go to an Internet café, they said. They just learned at 4 a.m. that their son had been shot dead.

The victim, the second among five siblings, was the only one who goes to college and would have been their only hope to help raise them from poverty. He was reportedly a first year Information Technology Student at the Asian College of Technology.

Cebu City Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, who owns ACT, said they have yet to check if the victim was indeed one of their students.

"Our classes started about a week ago. So if the student involved is a week-old freshman at our school it is dubious the incident has anything to do with his enrolment or studies at ACT. We still have to know who he is and if he is currently enrolled in our school," he said.

Police recovered three slugs from a gun of undetermined caliber from the crime scene. -With Jessa J. Agua/BRP (FREEMAN)