Stray bullet killed 19-year-old in Davao del Norte on New Year —PNP

A 19-year-old man died after a stray bullet hit his head while watching fireworks in Panabo City, Davao del Norte on New Year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the incident happened around 12:20 a.m.

“Ang victim po diyan ay lalaki po, 19-year-old. Habang 'yung biktima po ay nakatayo po doon malapit sa kanilang gate, at habang nanonood po ng fireworks ay bigla po siya nag-complain na parang may tama po siya sa kanyang forehead,” Fajardo said.

(The victim is a 19-year-old man. The victim was standing near their gate and watching fireworks when he suddenly complained that he felt something hit his forehead.)

“Nadala po 'yan sa hospital and unfortunately he died on the same day po ng around 2:00 p.m. (He was taken to the hospital and unfortunately he died on the same day at around 2:00 p.m.),” she added.

The bullet will undergo crossmatching, according to Fajardo.

As of 6 a.m. on Sunday, Fajardo said 18 incidents of stray bullets were reported where 10 individuals were injured amid the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Most of these incidents were reported in Metro Manila with seven cases, followed by Zamboanga Peninsula with three.

A total of 37 incidents of indiscriminate discharge of firearms were also recorded, which is higher compared to the 20 cases in the previous year, Fajardo said. Some 31 individuals were arrested in connection to these.

Among the involved persons are two PNP personnel, one Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, one Bureau of Correction personnel, and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit personnel.

A total 1,470 cases of illegal possession/use/sale of firecrackers were reported and 607,046 illegal firecrackers worth P4,146,458 were seized. A total of 85 people were arrested.—AOL, GMA Integrated News