Persons of interest in Lanao stray-bullet death take paraffin test

The five persons of interest in the death of a 12-year-old girl from a stray bullet in Lanao Del Norte have undergone a paraffin test.

According to Cedric Castillo’s “24 Oras” report on Monday, provincial police did not name the persons of interest in the death of Suzette Abrigando, who was hit in the head by a stray bullet outside her home in Barangay Poblacion on New Year’s Eve.

Sapad police earlier said the persons of interest were the victim’s neighbors.

Authorities also said the stray bullet came from a .45 caliber gun.

The young girl’s mother, Emilyn, said her daughter was a loving and thoughtful child who dreamed of becoming a teacher.

“‘Yung batang ‘yun, kahit pa pagalitan mo, tatawanan ka lang nu’n. Kung papaluin mo, parang wala lang sa kanya. Magtatampo lang siya,” she said.

Data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) obtained by GMA News Research showed that cases of indiscriminate firing increased through the years, from 29 cases in 2017, to 30 in 2018, and 33 in 2019.

The number of arrests related to indiscriminate firing also rose to 30 in 2019, from 26 in 2018, and 12 in 2017.

The PNP has yet to release data for 2020, but two cases have been reported so far.  — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News