Police to file raps vs parents of boy who shot playmate

SAN QUINTIN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Police are set to file charges against the parents of an 11-year-old boy who accidentally shot his 10-year-old playmate on New Year’s Day in their residence here. 

Senior Inspector Aurelio Manantan, San Quintin police chief, told The STAR that the parents of the 11-year-old boy were uncooperative and investigators were having a hard time to have them surrender the firearm of unknown caliber that their child used in wounding his playmate, who is their relative and neighbor. 

The victim is confined in a clinic in Tayug town where he was rushed after sustaining a bullet wound in the chest. He is now out of danger though, Manantan said.

Police have turned over the 11-year-old boy to the municipal social welfare officer for custody. 

“We would file appropriate charges against the suspect’s parents for negligence but that would be for regular filing,” Manantan said. 

He said they would verify if the gun used in the accidental shooting is licensed. But probers are having a hard time doing so because the 11-year-old boy’s parents, both farmers, are uncooperative and have kept the firearm.

The parents were in Urdaneta City when the incident happened in their mountainside home. 

The two boys were reportedly looking for playing cards but found the gun instead.

Police did not recover the gun or a spent shell or slug at the scene.