By: Itchie G. Cabayan
DUE to a bad stare during a basketball league and a previous feud over gambling during a wake, a rumble reportedly involving minors erupted in Malate, Manila.
Based on a CCTV recording of the incident that took place on September 29 the rumble took place near Ortega Court in Barangay 737 and involved four minors from Barangays 735, 736 and 737 as well. Two adults who happen to be parents of some of the minors also reportedly joined the melee.
Barangay authorities say that the melee stemmed from a bad stare between two groups of minors during basketball game while others say that another cause was a running feud that began in a gambling session during a wake.
Meantime, Barangay 737 Kagawad Hector Mendoza said that since their barangay is flanked by Barangays 735 and 736, their place oftentimes becomes a “war zone” between rival groups.
Those involved were rounded up and brought to the barangay hall, where their parents were summoned too. There, none of them pursued any complaint and were made to sign an agreement.
Barangay officials warned the minors that the next time they get involved in a rumble, their parents or guardians will be made to suffer the consequences via complaints that will be filed against them, since minors cannot be charged owing to their age.
Prior to this, on September 27, another rumble also involving minors and during a basketball championship league took place in Barangay 138 in Tondo.
There, an off-duty cop and a brother of a Sangguniang Kabataan official were said to have been involved in the incident that left four wounded, including two minors.
Meanwhile, the cop denied involvement and said he was there to pacify the warring parties.
