BAGUIO CITY, Philippines -- Police in this mountain resort city in the north announced a crackdown against so-called youth street gangs on Friday, after it arrested an 18-year-old murder suspect who has been classified as Baguio's Most Wanted.

Police arrested Roderick Caramonte, a member of the self-styled hip-hop gang Pinoy Trucrips, who went into hiding after he and several gang members were accused of stabbing to death 15-year-old Charmaigne Calpito on Nov. 15, 2008.

Several other murder cases dating back to 2007 involving teenagers have been attributed to street gang conflicts, according to police records.

Authorities had been assisting efforts in unifying these youth gangs under a "Brotherhood for Peace," said Senior Police Officer 3 Viyo Hidalgo, Baguio police public relations officer.

Only 11 out of an estimated 21 gangs have joined the "brotherhood," but Jason Balag-ey, the group leader, said their unified members have since become targets of gangs who refuse any treaty.

Hidalgo said the police would no longer "treat with kid gloves" hardened
juveniles implicated in crimes.