mmalabanan
Several photographs and a video of an incident of indiscriminate firing on New Year’s eve have gone viral on Facebook.
Facebook user Philip Andrew Funtanilla who reportedly went under the name Drew Lutchina uploaded the album showing six men indiscriminately firing guns on Thursday, January 1. However, the post has already been deleted on Sunday, January 4.
PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor has identified the six men from Barangay San Antonio, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur involved in the incident. They are Cezar Lutchina Funtanilla, Philip Andrew Funtanilla, Russel Funtanilla Geronimo Gomez, Jumar Cabreros, Mark R-Jay Cabana, and Ian Cristopher Calixterio.
According to Deputy spokesman Senior Supt. Robert Po, the police will investigate whether the guns used in the incident are licensed or not through a database. He explained that they will conduct an interview of witnesses to facilitate filing of criminal charges.
Moreover, Po added that the police could request the courts to release search warrants should the guns used in the incident turn out to be unlicensed.
Indiscriminate Firing in PH
Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe is seeking the review of laws on indiscriminate firing after cases of stray bullet victims emerge year after year.
On, Sunday, Poe said: “We will look into pending bills on increasing the penalty on indiscriminate firing, especially since violators are also men in uniform.”
In Abra, an 11-year-old girl died after being hit by a stray bullet in the head.
The victim, Jercy Decym Buenafe Tabaday, a grade 4 student from Bumagcat Elementary school, was celebrating New Year’s eve outside their house with her family when a stray bullet struck her. Witnesses saw her suddenly fall with blood gushing from her head.
Tabaday was brought to Abra Provincial Hospital but doctor’s weren’t able to save her.
