Gang war shooting leaves 3 minors hurt

Three minors ended up in the hospital—one of them a 12-year-old girl who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time—after two gang members shot two teenagers who were with a rival group in Malabon City.

Authorities were still looking for the shooters identified only as Glydel and her still unidentified male companion after the incident which took place on Maya Maya Street, Barangay Longos at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, a few hours after a day-long fiesta celebration in the area.

The police said Glydel and her companion apparently targeted Rene Jay Javier, 17; and Rod Mark Sarmiento, 16 who were members of a rival gang.

Javier and Sarmiento were on their way to a nearby store when a tricycle passed by and shots rang out.

At that time, 12-year-old Mary Joy Latakin was walking right behind the victims as she was on her way to a computer shop, said Insp. Marissa Santos, public information officer of the Malabon police.

Although the police have yet to get statements from people who saw the incident, a witness said that he was walking in the area when he heard seven shots ring out.

He added that when he looked for the source of the noise, he found the victims lying on the ground and tried to help them.

Police found eight casings from a 9-mm pistol at the crime scene.

According to the police, Latakin was hit by a stray bullet in the right ear and taken to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila.

Javier, on the other hand, sustained gunshot wounds in the feet while Sarmiento was shot in the left leg.

All three victims remain under observation at separate hospitals, Santos said. Kristine Felisse Mangunaywith reports from  Marc Alejo and Gia Villanueva