Teenage girl injured in Lapu-Lapu brawl

CEBU, Philippines — A 15-year-old girl was maimed after figuring in a brawl with four other teens at a vacant lot in sitio Kabatuan 2, Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City on Saturday.

The video circulated on Facebook showed one girl trying to shield herself from receiving kicks and punches while trying to shout for help.

The victim is alias “Misty,” resident of Barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City.

She suffered scratches, bruises, and pains from different areas of the body and was brought to Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital.

According to police reports, the four suspects are affiliated with “Bloods Gang.”

These suspects were also minors with aliases Badin, Mingkay, Miles, and Honey who are residents of different barangays of Agus, Pajac, and Maribago in Lapu-Lapu City.

In a police report, Mingkay narrated that the motive of the fight was revenge following report that Misty was allegedly involved in mauling her in the past.

According to Police Major Jaypee Dagami of Lapu-Lapu City Police Station 2, the suspects said that there were four other teens along with Misty and one of them is alias “Antonette” who planned to meet with the suspects.

“Gibaligya ni Antonnete si Misty. So naa naman didto nag-atang ang upat,” Dagami said

Dagami added that Antonette deceived Misty to go to the toilet while the three remaining companions escaped and ran after seeing Misty being dragged by the suspects.

In an interview on “Straight to The Point” by Atty. Ruphil Bañoc of RMN-Cebu with the father of the victim, he said that he did not receive any apology from the suspects’ parents.

“Wala ra, nangisog man hinoon kay di kuno mangulata ilang bata,” the father added.

Misty is under the custody of her father and will undergo debriefing and counseling from City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Meanwhile, the four suspects are currently under the custody of CSWDO and will undergo civil liability or diversion.

They will also undergo rehabilitation in Home Care Center for Children in sitio Tugas, Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

Charges for physical injury in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law will be filed against the suspects.

In a Facebook post, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan expressed his disappointment about the incident.

“Di gyud ni nako lung-an hangtod nga di mahatagan og hustisya ang gikulata. Ug labawng di gyud ko mosugot nga mahitabo pa ni sa uban maong kinahanglan nga matapos na gyud ning sayop nga binuhatan,” reads a portion of his Facebook post. — (FREEMAN)