PNP not ruling out stray bullet angle in Malabon girl's case  

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is not yet ruling out the possibility that the bullet that hit a 15-year-old girl in Malabon could have been stray, contrary to the claim of the Malabon police.

Police Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario made the clarification amid conflicting statements from the Department of Health and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) regarding the case of Emmelyn Villanueva, who was hit by a bullet while watching the fireworks during the New Year celebration.

On Sunday, NCRPO chief Oscar Albayalde said Villanueva was not hit by a stray bullet but shot by a still unidentified gunman. The girl's family, however, insisted there was no shooting incident or altercation in the vicinity when she was hit.

Hospital officials at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center also considered the incident a stray bullet case, based on the trajectory of the bullet.

During a press conference at Camp Crame, Apolinario was asked if the NCRPO could be dismissing the stray bullet angle so it could be spared from PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa's warning against police officials in areas with incidents of indiscriminate firing.

"Hindi naman siguro. Of course we will be looking at all angles and possibilities of this case, including the trajectory ng bala and other circumstances," said Apolinario.

"It is too early to determine if it was stray bullet or kung may shooting incident," he added.

In the meantime, Apolinario said the PNP crime laboratory is also looking into the incident to determine where the bullet came from. "It depends on the trajectory ng baril, lalo na depende sa terrain, wind and weather," he said.

"So iyong ganoong information should altogether, [will] be evaluated kung talagang aabot ang bala. Tsaka iyong capacity ng baril. What kind of pistol probably can reach that distance." Apolinario added.

The police official said results of the investigation would depend on the facts of the case and the motive of the gunman.

"We assure the family of Emmilyn Villanueva that the PNP is doing its best to give justice to her... the Northern Police District is pursuing and investigating this thoroughly," Apolinario said.

Meanwhile, Apolinario said the PNP has so far recorded a total of 224 cases of firecracker-related injuries and stray bullet incidents from December 16, 2016 to January 2, 2017, which is 43 percent lower than 2015 data.

So far, 12 stray bullet incidents have been recorded, with eight injured and one killed, identified as a certain Roan Cabuyan, 20 years old, from Sta. Cruz, Manila. The PNP also recorded 144 firecracker-related incidents that involved 169 people getting injured.

Eighteen people, meanwhile, have been arrested for selling illegal firecrackers, which were worth P879,000.

A total of 23 cases of illegal discharge of firearms have been recorded, for which 19 people have already been arrested. Those nabbed included a policeman, PO1 Daniel Castillo of the Manila Police District; a military serviceman; three security guards; and 14 civilians.

Apolinario agreed with observations that the drop in the number of firecracker-related injuries was considered the "Duterte effect," especially after President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly and strongly expressed his opposition against welcoming the New Year with firecrackers.

"That's part of the psychology na because of the strict implementation of our President... natatakot talaga na magpaputok ng firecrackers," said Apolinario, even as he also acknowledged  the vigilance and continued implementation of the ban on illegal firecrackers. —KBK, GMA News