Teen gunned down in Tondo

One of two motorcycle-riding men shot a 19-year-old male in Tondo, Manila before dawn yesterday.

John Gomez Casila died from two gunshot wounds in the chest while doctors at the Tondo Medical Center were trying to revive him.

Casila was sitting on a bench along Gumamela street at around 2 a.m. when two men on a motorcycle stopped nearby. The back rider shot him and both assailants sped away, police said.

A 9mm bullet casing was recovered from the crime scene. Investigators said they have yet to determine the motive for the killing, which occurred days after 14-year-old Mark Lorenz Salonga, addicted to marijuana, was shot dead by still unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen in Taguig.

Bato: Isolated case

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday Salonga’s killing by motorcycle-riding gunmen is an “isolated case” and the public should focus on the PNP’s efforts against these criminals.

Dela Rosa surmised the people responsible could have been extremely angry with the boy that they wanted him dead.

“We must establish the motive. It’s only one but one life is too many,” he said.

Dela Rosa said people only took notice of Salonga’s killing as the number of incidents dropped.

The PNP recorded 24 homicides involving motorcycle-riding assailants nationwide from Oct. 10 to Nov. 5 this year.

Dela Rosa vowed promised Salonga’s family a thorough investigation.