Stray bullet kills boy in Cordova

CEBU, Philippines - A seven-year-old boy died after a stray bullet hit him in the chest Sunday afternoon in Sitio Puso, Barangay Poblacion, Cordova.

John Orches Orbiso was playing outside their house when a 9mm pistol owned by Tito Sanchez, 48, went off during a scuffle with his nephew Ramil Sanchez, 31.

Orbiso was declared dead on arrival at the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital.

Ramil was also injured in the incident and is now recuperating at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

SPO1 Henry Amores, homicide investigator, said Tito and Ramil had a heated argument at around 5:45 p.m. when the two met on the street. Tito came from the cockfighting arena and was reportedly under the influence of liquor when he met his nephew on the street.

Following the argument Tito went home to get his 9mm pistol and shot his nephew several times hitting the latter in the abdomen. Despite being wounded, Ramil managed to grapple for the gun.

In the process the gun went off hitting the child in the chest causing his instantaneous death. 

Tito was immediately arrested by PO3 Hadjir Ahajan of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office who lives near the crime scene.

Initial investigation shows that the arguments between Ramil and Tito stemmed from a case for grave misconduct and oral defamation against the former where the latter’s wife stands as witness.

The police are now preparing criminal complaints for frustrated homicide and homicide against Tito who is now detained at the Cordova police stockade.       - THE FREEMAN