Bullet spray kills 1, wounds 9 in Makati

A barrage of gunfire unleashed from a passing vehicle killed a man and wounded nine others as they were having a drink on the sidewalk in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City, shortly after midnight Friday.

At least 30 bullet casings from an M-15 rifle, a .45-cal. and a .38-cal. pistol were recovered at the scene of the shooting that left Jesus Garcia, 22, dead. Two of his friends—Michael Bagang, 32, and Jad Jerome Wong, 31 —remained in critical condition at Makati Medical Center (MMC) for gunshot wounds in the face and body.

Also wounded and treated at the MMC were Jay Sapanta, Christopher Ivan, Mark Joseph Canda, Arnel Manalansan, Juan Carlos Zamora, Oliver Agbayani and Chris Ivan Paulino.

Makati police chief Senior Supt. Ernesto Barlam said Garcia and the others were having a drink on Taylo Street around 12:30 a.m. on Friday when a grey car stopped in front of them and one of the men onboard opened fire.

Witnesses said about five men were in the vehicle, which drove off after the shooting. Barlam said one of Garcia’s friends who escaped unhurt from the attack recognized one of the five.

“We are looking at this incident as a possible act of retaliation since these two groups are said to have a history of violence,” Barlam said. “We have formed a special investigation team to look into the case.” Maricar Brizuela