AUTHORITIES are now hunting down the suspect who shot and seriously wounded a helper inside a motor parts shop in Malabon City.

The shop helper, 21 years old, of Bgy. Longos was rushed by his friends to Tondo Medical Center, where he underwent a surgical operation for a gunshot wound in the left cheek.

Malabon Police Chief P/Col. Albert Abad said the victim had a drink with his three friends inside the JKHEN Motor Parts Shop on Tuesday night, which lasted until 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday before the shooting incident.

While cleaning up their mess after the drinking session was over, a lone gunman, wearing a white jacket and pants, suddenly barged inside and, without a word, shot the victim once in the face at close range in the presence of his drinking buddies, hitting him in the left cheek.

Thinking that he fatally shot the victim, the suspect immediately escaped on foot with his cohort, who served as lookout toward C-4 Road in Bgy. Tanong, while the wounded victim was rushed by his friends to the nearest hospital, where he was still under observation.

Malabon Police Station Investigation and Detective Management Branch (SIDMB) chief P/Maj. Ronald Carlos, in an interview, said they had already identified the gunman, but he refused to reveal the name since a hot pursuit operation is still ongoing.

Maj. Carlos said “jealousy” was believed to have been the cause of the shooting since the victim was allegedly close to the suspect’s girlfriend. By Edd Reyes

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Edd Reyes