10 incidents in Iloilo City

The seven-year old girl who was hit in the head with a stray bullet while watching fireworks display on New Year's eve died after fighting for her life for two days.

Stephanie Nicole Ella, of Malaria, Caloocan City was in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City when she died on Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Emmanuel M. Bueno, EAMC Medical Specialist said Stephanie has been in coma and that a respirator kept her alive after she survived three cardiac arrests.

He disclosed that it was unfortunate that any form of operation would not improve her situation.

Meanwhile, Caloocan Mayor Recom Echiverri gave P50,000 financial assistance to Stephanie's family. Her father received the money when Echiverri visited the hospital on Wednesday.

Her parents related that Stephanie was one of the smartest girls in their school.

Pastor Renato Franco, Ella's family friend, for his part said she has lots of ambitions and eager to fulfill many of her dreams.

He said that "what was supposed to be a happy watching of fireworks displayed turned out to be a nightmare for her and her family."

Stephanie was earlier listed as the most critical case in the partial lists of firework-related injuries. 

On Tuesday, four-year-old Raijelo Miner died when hit by a home-made shot gun (sumpak). The suspect who was believed to have fired the sumpak was arrested.

STRAY BULLETS

Meanwhile, police records showed that there were 10 incidents of stray bullets in Western Visayas. Of which, three persons were reported wounded with no fatality.  

The victims were Teresita Cansancio, 62, of Talacuan, Leon, Iloilo; Eduardo Tavarra, 74, of Tigbauan, Iloilo; and, Mayette Miranda, 28, of Tapo-tapo Avenue, New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

Cansancio was hit on her left shoulder; Tavarra on his left arm, and Miranda on her right chest. They are now declared out of danger.

Cruz already ordered the investigation of stray bullet incidents for possible double or multiple reporting of a single illegal discharge of firearms.

But in Iloilo City alone, reports claimed that residents recovered 25 slugs or empty shells.

Molo district has 14, La Paz has five, Jaro has three and Mandurriao has three slugs found.

Last year, ICPO recovered 14 stray bullets believed to have been fired, as part of New Year’s revelry in Iloilo City. 

Last 2010, ICPO recorded three injuries due to stray bullet.

But police pointed out that it is possible that several stray bullets were fired by a single individual.

Last year, there were at least six stray bullet incidents in the city and province of Iloilo. 

Stray bullet incidence continued to occur during the New Year revelry despite the strict campaign and appeal of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the public to refrain from firing their guns.

ALLEGED GUNFIRE IN WATERFRONT

Meanwhile, there was no confirmed incident or report of alleged firearm discharge on Christmas eve at the Waterfront area, particularly in Brgy. Monica, Iloilo City Proper district, according to the police.

Since the area is in close proximity to Camp Martin Delgado Police, the headquarters of Police Regional Office (PRO) 6, a successive gun fire could easily be noticeable even if it coincides with the sounds of firecrackers, said PRO6 director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr.

“Wala rin pong report na nakarating sa amin. Kaya kung totoo man po ang mga balitang ‘yun, sana may mag file ng complaint na may first-hand knowledge sa mga nangyari,” he said.

Police also recovered no empty shell or slug that could indicate that a fire had been shot.

Pictures of merrymaking allegedly at Brgy. Monica on the eve of Christmas has been circulating over social networking site Facebook.

Several men in civilian clothes were dancing in what appeared to be a basketball court while brandishing high-powered firearms.

However, there was no confirmation as to where and when the pictures were taken.*