Rap contest turns nasty; 4 wounded

A rap contest in Las Piñas City meant as a fund-raising activity for survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” led to a shooting incident that left four men wounded.

The victims, identified as Barangay (village) CAA residents Andie Estocoring, Raymond Villalva, Ricardio Tapia Jr. and Veramine Julio, were shot by four unidentified men on Malunggay Street in their barangay at 2:50 a.m. on Sunday.

The victims were on their way home from the rap contest when they were attacked.

According to case investigator PO3 Mark Tino of the Las Piñas police, the victims earlier figured in a mauling incident with another group involving the contest organizers.

“There was a rap contest, a charity event for Tacloban City; but things got heated between the two groups,” Tino said, quoting witnesses.

Though the two groups were immediately pacified, they clashed once again after Estocoring and his companions allegedly harassed the group of the contest organizers as the latter were leaving.

Unknown to the victims, the other group had called on their companions to come to their aid. As the victims were walking home, several men on board a utility vehicle and a motorcycle appeared and opened fire on them, Tino said.

The utility vehicle was later found abandoned in neighboring Barangay Manuyo 2.

Tino said a man was arrested on Sunday in connection with the shooting although he declined to name the suspect for now since an out-of-court settlement was being discussed.