It is 28 September, the Warshock gang’s second foundation anniversary. No one, however, can celebrate with anything but tears.

“We’ll miss your smile, the advice you gave and all the happy moments we had together,” Jerlyn reads from a farewell note. She lights her eulogy with a red candle, holding the folded piece of paper over the flame until it crumbles into ashes. The Warshocks follow suit and, one by one, burn written promises to the friend whom they call “Cao". Most pledge that they will not hunt down her killer. Others vow to give up their vices.

Rarely does a girl from one of the city’s 150 gangs get killed. When riots erupt, it’s usually groups of boys who stab each other with broken bottles and indyan panas (Indian arrows). Yet the streets are just as mean to girls as they are to boys. Both cling to gangs for protection and a sense of belonging. But for teenage girls who have been neglected or abused, gangs provide them with a place of refuge.

How to Help
www.childhope.org.ph
www.world-children.org
www.streetchildren.org.uk