2 more kids hit by stray bullets

MANILA, Philippines - A 12-year-old girl in Cavite and a nine-year-old girl in Marikina City were the latest victims of stray bullets yesterday, bringing to 12 the total number of people hurt by indiscriminate firing ahead of the New Year revelry.

The Ligtas Paskuhan 2015 of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Nancy Mendoza-Borselango of Silang, Cavite was hit by a stray bullet in her right foot.

The Department of Health (DOH), also monitoring cases of stray bullet and firecracker incidents, identified the victim in Marikina as Francia Grace Aragon, who was hit in the chest while watching television at home.

As of 8:30 a.m. yesterday, the PNP Ligtas Paskuhan 2015 reported there were 12 victims of stray bullets since it started monitoring 15 days ago.

However, the lone fatality, Lorena Santos Cruz, the nine-year-old who died of a gunshot wound on her back in Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan, will not be included in the list of stray bullet victims.

Police said Cruz was accidentally shot by her elder brother.

Norzagaray police chief Supt. Joel Estaris said the brother and father of the victim tried to cover up the accident as a stray bullet case.

Police learned a gun was owned by the brother of the victim. The gun reportedly fell to the floor and accidentally discharged, fatally hitting Cruz in the back. – Non Alquitran, Sheila Crisostomo