Stray bullet death: Person of interest in custody

MANILA, Philippines — Police have in their custody a person of interest in the death of a 12-year-old girl from Lanao del Norte who was hit by a stray bullet during New Year festivities on Thursday.

Col. Isaias Bacurnay Jr., Lanao del Norte police director, said the person of interest, a man, was identified by the relatives of victim Suzette Manamparan, a resident of Katapagan town who died after a stray bullet hit her on the head.

“He is a resident of the area, and that is why he became one of those considered by us,” Bacurnay said in Filipino over radio dzBB.

Manamparan was celebrating New Year with her cousins when she suddenly fell to the ground. Her relatives thought she merely slipped, but panicked when they noticed blood oozing from her head.

The person of interest turned over his .45 caliber pistol to authorities for forensic investigation. The slug recovered from Manamparan’s head came from a similar firearm.

Police investigators are cross-matching it with the person of interest’s handgun.

Bacurnay refused to identify the individual and whether he is a member of the uniformed service or a civilian, stressing that he is still not a suspect in the girl’s death.

Probers have yet to find out if the person of interest fired his handgun the same evening when the girl died, said Bacurnay, adding they are careful in asking questions as the individual has been cooperative.

“He had a choice to cooperate or decline our request. He opted to cooperate,” he said.