Teen shot dead by watchman at Quezon City grad party

MANILA, Philippines—A graduation party of a group of boys took a tragic turn when an alleged trigger-happy watchman shot dead one of the minors at a residential area in Quezon City early Sunday, the police said.

PO3 Loreto Tigno of the Quezon City Police District homicide section identified the victim as Rizalino Hulleza Jr., 17, a resident of Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City.

Hulleza died on the spot due to a gunshot wound to the back of the head, Tigno said.

He identified the suspect as Bernardo Ros, a member of the Barangay Public Safety Officer.

Police said Ros fled after the shooting and remained at large.

Investigation showed the boys were having a party in front of the house of one of the graduates when members of the BPSO arrived and scolded them for being noisy.

In a statement to the police, the boys said they were laughing and drinking when a BPSO team suddenly appeared and reprimanded them for being noisy and disturbing the neighborhood.

The boys explained to the barangay officers that it was a graduation party and that they would be winding down soon.

But the barangay officers insisted they immediately end the party which resulted to a commotion.

“It was during the commotion that (Hulleza) stood and ran away but was shot by one of the BPSO,” a witness said.

“For still unknown reason, the BPSO pulled out his a gun and fired several shots at our friend, who was hit in the back of his head,”  the witness added.

Tigno said Barangay Holy Spirit officials promised to cooperate in arresting Ros.

He said they were looking at a possible murder charge against the suspect based on the way the boy was shot. “(Hulleza) was shot [from behind], which showed treachery,” Tigno said.