Cebu City.
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 15-year-old boy, who was playing games inside a computer shop in Cebu City, was shot in the head twice by another minor on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
The attack allegedly stemmed from personal conflicts related to the illegal drug trade. Fortunately, the victim, a Grade 7 student, survived and is currently being treated at the Cebu City Medical Center.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, Deputy Director for Operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), the shooting occurred at Sitio Ponce 1, Barangay Carreta, Cebu City, around 5:45 p.m.
The young victim, a resident of the same barangay, was playing computer games in a shop, while the attacker and his cohort were also engaged in gaming in the same shop. They are both minors and neighbors of the victim, according to Rafter.
While inside the shop, the gunman pulled out a gun and shot the victim twice on the right side of his head. After the victim collapsed, the gunman and his companion immediately fled.
Police have identified them and arrested the cohort in a manhunt operation, while the gunman remains at large. Both suspects were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, and one of them was recently released from Operation Second Chance for Children in Conflict with the Law.
The shooting incident was captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV). The police are also reviewing the CCTV footage to determine if another minor seen inside the computer shop at the time of the incident was also involved in the attack.
Rafter mentioned that Mabolo police have communicated with the parents of the suspect to convince him to surrender to the authorities. They assured the authorities that they would find a way to persuade their son to turn himself in.
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