NCRPO: 3 hurt by stray bullets this holiday season

Even before the New Year revelry, at least three people have already been hit by stray bullets in Metro Manila, police said.

 

“Hanggang ngayong araw na ito, meron tayo ngayong tatlo na tinamaan ng ligaw na bala,” Police Director Carmelo Valmoria, National Capital Region Police Office chief, said on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" Thursday afternoon. 

 

The latest incident was recorded on December 24 at around 8:10 pm. The victim was hit in the thigh. The first and second incidents were recorded on December 13 and 16, respectively. 

 

PNP Director General Alan Purisima reminded the public to be watchful of people who may fire their guns to ring in the new year.

 

“Ang kailangan natin dito is the vigilance of the public na kung meron po tayong napapansin agad na meron pong tendencies (to shoot guns). 'Yung mga kapitbahay natin na magpapa-putok, please, have them reported to the police immediately,” he told reporters in a separate press conference on Thursday.

 

“Pakiusap lang po bago mangyari na sila magpapa-putok i-report na natin sa pulis para ma-check natin agad. That is the way of preventing the occurrence of illegal discharge of firearms,” he noted.

 

Metro Manila residents may contact 0915-8888-181 or 0999-9018-181 to report incidents of indiscriminate firing.

 

Meanwhile, Valmoria added NCRPO is also considering imposing a gun ban during the coming New Year’s celebration to reduce the victims of stray bullets.

 

“Pag-uusapan po ‘yun (gun ban),” he said, noting that the police has ongoing campaign and mechanisms to ensure that indiscriminate firing would be curbed.

 

“Tuloy-tuloy po ang campaign natin against loose firearms tapos meron din tayong… check point… In short, may gun ban o wala, ‘pag nahuli ka sa check point at walang tamang dokumento to authorize carrying firearms outside residence, hinuhuli naman po,” he added.

 

Even if a permit to carry license has been issued for a gun, firing it if indiscriminately will still be a violation, Valmoria clarified.

 

Last year, firearms use in the country went under the spotlight after a stray bullet killed a seven-year-old girl on New Year’s Eve. Several suspects have been arrested for Stephanie Nicole Ella’s death but they have yet to face any criminal charges. 

 

The number of people hit by stray bullets has been on a steady decline since 2010. The count went down to 25 during last year's New Year revelry from 29 in 2011, and 39 two years ago. — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan/JDS, GMA News