16-year-old shot dead inside barangay hall for allegedly stealing

A 16-year-old boy in Cabuyao, Laguna died after he was shot in the head inside the barangay hall for allegedly stealing steel bars. 

According to Nico Waje’s exclusive report on "Saksi" the victim identified as John Christian Valenzuela or “Dadoy” was asked to go to the barangay hall on Sunday night amid his alleged involvement in theft.

He never returned to his family alive that night.

“May pumunta po dito na hinahanap daw po yung anak ko at sangkot daw po siya sa pagnanakaw po ng bakal. Pumunta raw po ‘yung anak ko doon,” said Malou Valenzuela, the victim’s mother. 

(Someone went to our house, looking for our son because he was allegedly involved in stealing steel bars. My son went to the barangay hall.) 

The suspect is a farmer from whom “Dadoy” allegedly stole steel bars and money. He was drunk when he arrived at the barangay hall, the police said.

“Itong bata natin is nandoon lang for questioning regarding sa mga nangyayaring theft incident,” said Cabuyao Police chief Lieutenant Colonel John Eric Antonio. 

(The young victim only went there for questioning for the alleged theft incident.) 

“Biglang dumating tong suspek natin tinatanong yung bata sa barangay hall tapos eto na nangyari na ang insidente.”

(Then the suspect arrived, looked for the boy, and the incident happened.) 

The suspect was arrested by the authorities, but the gun was not recovered from him. 

“Ito po ang current na nire-recover namin dahil accordingly upon escape niya ay itinapon niya somewhere yung ginamit niyang firearm,” said Antonio. 

(We are recovering this because accordingly, upon his escape, he threw the firearm he used.) 

The suspect admitted to his crime and underwent inquest proceedings for murder charges. 

But the family of “Dadoy” believes that there were lapses on the part of barangay after he was shot inside the facility. 

“Sa akin po, mayroon po silang pagkukulang ganun, siyempre nakapasok yung namaril hindi natin naano na naging safe yung bata sa loob,” said Ronnel Gonzales, the victim’s father. 

(For me, they had lapses because the shooter was able to commit the crime inside the hall, they failed to protect the safety of our child.)

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the barangay hall officials for comment on the incident.—Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News