Woman shoots at neighbors in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - A 49-year-old woman was arrested at past midnight yesterday for shooting at her neighbors and people she encountered on the street in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City.

Lilibeth Pedroso reportedly “snapped” and went out of her house along Santucio street at around 9:30 p.m. Monday, carrying a 9mm Taurus pistol, according to city police chief Senior Superintendent Ernesto Barlam.

Pedroso started running and shooting at neighbors she encountered on the street. She hit one of her neighbors, Rowell Roque, 30, in the buttocks, Barlam said.

Roque was taken to the Makati Medical Center for emergency treatment.

Investigators said Pedroso got off at least 19 shots, based on the number of bullet shells recovered from the crime scene, before she went back to the house she shares with her 15-year-old son.

Police officers managed to convince Pedroso to come out of the house at half past midnight yesterday and surrender the handgun she used. Barlam said Pedroso’s husband – who is currently abroad – owns the gun.

Pedroso is currently detained at the Makati police station as complaints for indiscriminate firing and physical injuries are being prepared against her before the Makati City prosecutor’s office.

However, ABS-CBN reported that a cousin of Pedroso claimed she had been an overseas worker but lost her job in Canada last year.

Pedroso is reportedly having family problems, particularly with her husband, who is allegedly in jail for bigamy, the television network’s website quoted the cousin as saying.