By Jennifer P. Rendon
A murder charge will be filed against a 15-year-old boy who was tagged in the killing of another teenager in Jaro, Iloilo City on Christmas Eve, Dec 24, 2021.
Captain Eduardo Siacon, Jaro police chief, said Nonoy (not his real name) is presently at the Balay Dalayunan: A Home for the Boys, a foster care service center located in Bo. Obrero, Lapuz district.
Siacon said they’re now preparing the charges against the boy and “it’s up to the court to appreciate the evidence and testimonies that we would be submitting.”
Nonoy, a resident of Vetetans Village, City Proper district, was tagged as the person who stabbed to death 19-year-old Neil Gulmatico during a fracas at Barangay Democracia, Jaro around 10:10 p.m. Friday.
Gulmatico, a resident of Barangay Benedicto, Jaro, and his group allegedly figured in a free-for-all fight with the suspect’s group.
Someone from Gulmatico’s group accosted Nonoy’s group about a person who acted rude against an aunt of one of their members.
When Nonoy’s group denied any knowledge about the accusation, a commotion ensued which led to a fistfight.
It ended with Gulmatico getting stabbed on his neck.
But Siacon believed that there was already a conflict between the two groups and the rumble could be inevitable.
In a follow up investigation, eight persons – two from the Gulmatico’s group and six from Nonoy’s group – were arrested.
Even members from the suspect’s group have pointed to Nonoy as the person who stabbed Gulmatico.
The victim’s two friends were made to point to the suspect among the six youngsters. They also pointed to Nonoy as Gulmatico’s assailant.
Police records indicated that Nonoy had been a gang member and is on the list of children in conflict with the law (CICL).
Meanwhile, both groups did not file charges against each other and were subsequently released from police custody.
