MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City policemen are on the lookout for members of a teenage gang who mauled to death a helper in Barangay (village) Payatas on Sunday, two days after they gatecrashed a wedding party and killed the groom’s father.
Superintendent Ronnie Montejo of the Batasan police station said a witness had identified the leader of the gang, but the suspect cannot be named since he is a minor.
The group, initially identified as the “Banal Group,” and comprised of more than 10 teenagers aged 15 to 17, has been linked to the stabbing of Remos Bantiling, 22.
Montejo said the gang had been sowing terror in Barangay Payatas and is considered “untouchable” by residents.
“There are many witnesses but they are afraid of this group so they can’t speak up,” the official added.
He said the group was positively identified as behind the robbery at a wedding reception early Friday morning that resulted in the killing of the groom’s father.
The group is allegedly behind other cases of violence in the village, police said.
Residents told police they have seen the gang use illegal drugs and arm themselves with knives, handguns and improvised shotguns.
On Sunday, Bantiling, a helper at an appliance store, was on his way home after a round of drinks with his uncle at around 10:30 p.m. when he happened to pass by the gang of teenagers.
Investigator Police Officer 3 Modestino Juanson of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit said the youths ganged up on Bantiling, who was stabbed in the chest.
The victim managed to run away and reach an uncle’s house nearby.
Elmer Dioleste told police that he was surprised to see his bloodied nephew on his doorstep.
He said Bantiling was able to say “Sinaksak ako ng mga kabataan (I was stabbed by some young persons), before collapsing.
The victim was rushed to the Fairview General Hospital but he did not make it alive.
Two days earlier, Reynaldo Andres Sr., 51, was shot dead after the gang, numbering 10 and armed with knives and handguns, crashed his son’s wedding party on Atis Street and tried to rob the guests of their valuables.
The teenaged suspects took off with the bride’s cell phone.