MANILA, Philippines—A brawl between two gangs resulted in the death of a 26-year-old man and the injury of two others, including a rookie policeman of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), late Saturday night in Manila.

The fatality identified as Marcial Raquero of San Anton Street, Manila, and reportedly a member of Samahang Ilocano (SI), died from a bullet wound in the head.

Investigators said the bullet that killed Raquero was fired from the gun of Police Officer 3 John Simon Baltazar, a member of the Manila Police District (MPD) Headquarters Support Unit. Baltazar is reportedly a member of the Sabado Night Boys gang.

Two other SI members: Harry Jones Guzman, 20, of Main Street, Sampaloc; and PO1 Arnel Raquero of the NCRPO based in Taguig City, were hurt.

Investigation by the MPD-General Assignment Section, headed by Senior Inspector Marcelo Reyes, revealed that the SI members were having a drinking session along Main Street when one of them figured in an argument with a Sabado Night Boy at about 11:45 p.m.

Minutes later, the two groups began throwing rocks and bottles and engaged in a fist fight.

Reyes said the melee ended abruptly when a gunshot was fired and Raquero fell wounded.

PO1 Raquero said Baltazar fired the shot that eventually killed the victim.