2-year-old boy becomes second stray bullet fatality this year

The two-year-old boy who was in critical condition after he was hit by a stray bullet during the New Year revelry has succumbed to his injury, a report on “24 Oras” said Thursday.

Rhauz Angelo Corpuz of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte became the second person to die from stray bullets this year following three-month-old Von Alexander Llagas of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.

The “24 Oras” report said doctors couldn't remove the bullet that was lodged in Corpuz's head because of his sensitive condition.

There have been 28 victims of stray bullets all over the country during the recent New Year celebrations, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Fifteen individuals have been arrested for indiscriminate firing, the PNP said.

In Naga city in the Bicol Region, two Army soldiers were put under military custody for involvement in an alleged case of indiscriminate firing last New Year’s Eve, according to Army spokesman Capt. Anthony Bacus.
 
Bacus said the Army’s 9th Infantry Division and the Naga City are conducting investigation “to give light to the incident and determine the culpabilities of the two soldiers involved.”

He declined to identify the two pending the result of the investigation.
 
“As of press time, the Philippine Army had received reports that there was an incident in Naga City wherein two soldiers were arrested for allegedly firing their guns during the New Year’s Eve,” said Bacus.— KBK, GMA News