Filipinos form watch groups after Canada shooting

The Filipino community in Winnipeg, Canada, have started to form watch groups to increase their safety in the city after a fellow Filipino was shot dead recently.

On April 18, 53-year-old Joselito Fernandez was walking along Selkirk Avenue when he was confronted by a 16-year-old boy with a gun. The boy shot Fernandez in the chest and robbed him before running away, CTW News Winnipeg reported.

Fernandez was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. On April 26, police located the suspect and arrested him. The boy has been charged with second degree murder, failing to comply with a probation order and two counts of possession of a firearm.

According to a report from ABS-CBN News, Fernandez, who worked as a dishwasher at a casino, was on his way home from work when the incident happened. His sister said Fernandez normally finished work at 1:30 am and would walk home as public transport was limited at night.

Filipinos in the area have now formed watch groups and are volunteering to patrol the different areas in the city to boost safety. Leia Castro, the founder of 204 Neighborhood Watch, said groups are trying to protect their fellow Filipinos.