Teens brawl after attending Simbang Gabi in Caloocan

Four minors in Caloocan City were apprehended following a street brawl involving teenagers who were fresh from attending the traditional Simbang Gabi, GMA News' Emil Sumangil reported on 24 Oras on Monday.

CCTV footage showed at least 50 teenagers attacked another group of youngsters. Although the actual fight was not caught on camera, the last part of the video shows the group that attacked leaving the place.

Barangay officials and policemen swooped down on the scene, which is outside San Roque Church, and arrested four minors.

"Nasa 13, 14, 15 [years old], so napakabata pa, so kung titingnan natin, ano ba ang dahilan bakit sila nag-away-away? Trip-trip lang ang mga ito," said Senior Superintendent Jemar Modequillo, Caloocan City police chief.

Authorities recovered bladed weapons from the minors. A female Grade 9 student yielded a combat knife. The girl, however, denied that it was hers.

"Hindi po, sa kuya ko po. Hinagis niya po. Akala niya siguro pag ako hinuli, hindi ako maaano. Gulat ako pagtalikod ko wala na siya," she said.

A tactical knife and samurai sword were also seized from the other three suspects, who all denied ownership of the weapons.

"Noong nag-alisan sila, biglang inabot sa amin ang gamit," one minor said.

"Bigla pong hinagis sa akin, parang binenta po ako," another one added.

"Sumisimba lang kami. Hinaltak kami," one minor said.

Police said similar fights have become frequent since the start of Simbang Gabi.

"Nagpe-pretend na nagsi-Simbang Gabi then mapapansin natin habang tumatagal nagkakatinginan na. Ang madalas po talagang nag-start ng gulo is ginagamit nila 'yung mga minor nilang kasama," said Senior Inspector Dave Capurcos.

Police vowed to increase police visibility near the church to prevent similar incidents from happening again. They also appealed to parents to look after their children.

"Responsibilidad naman talaga nila na hanapin 'yung mga anak nila at gabayan nila. Hindi dapat nila pinabayaan na nagkakalat ang mga ito, in the first place, nagi-implement tayo ng curfew dito," Modequillo said.

The arrested minors will be brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the report said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News