No stray bullet cases recorded so far — Bato dela Rosa

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the PNP has yet to record any case of stray bullets.

Dela Rosa yesterday reiterated his warning of  imposing a one-strike policy on police commanders who would be relieved if they fail to solve cases of deaths and injuries caused by stray bullets during the New Year revelry.

“So far we have not relieved any police officer for failing to stop or act on an incident of indiscriminate firing or stray bullets. Our policemen are doing their job well,” he said.

According to Dela Rosa, the woman who was hit by a bullet in the mouth at her home in Ilocos Sur on Dec. 24 was not a case of stray bullet.

Ilocos region police director Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula said they were tracking down a person of interest in the shooting of 38-year-old Fely Joy Paras. 

Police could not say what the motive could be for shooting Paras.

Paras was cooking at her house in Barangay Ora East in Bantay town when she was shot by a still unidentified assailant with a .45-caliber handgun.

The victim survived but lost five of her teeth.

Dela Rosa also clarified newspaper reports (not in The STAR) that firecracker-related injuries increased this year despite warnings.

“The reports were misleading because the DOH (Department of Health) reported fewer firecracker injuries this year compared to last year,” he said, adding the headline was misleading because the article had clarified that the DOH said the injuries this year are less.

Meanwhile, a barangay councilman in Lipa City, Batangas was arrested for indiscriminately firing his gun on Thursday.

Reynaldo Icaro, 54, of Barangay Mabini, yielded a .45-caliber handgun with six bullets.

A report from the Lipa police station said Icaro allegedly fired his handgun at a birthday celebration. – Emmanuel Tupas