Police conduct deeper probe into stray bullet death

MANILA, Philippines - The Bulacan police will ask the father and brother of Lorena Santos Cruz, the nine-year-old girl earlier reported to have died from a stray bullet near Ipo Dam in Norzagaray town, to take a lie detector test.

The move came after Lorena’s father Jose and brother Joel, both members of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bantay Gubat unit, gave differing versions on how the girl was hit on Dec. 24.

Lorena, who was hit by a caliber .22 bullet, died on Christmas Day after surgery at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City. Although she is recorded as the first to have died from stray bullet during the holidays, the police are also looking into other angles.

Supt. Joel Estaris, Norzagaray police chief, said both Jose and Joel, during investigation and reenactment, gave details that did not match. He hopes the polygraph tests would clarify the conflicting statements.

Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez wanted a thorough investigation and ordered the Bulacan police to identify, arrest and prosecute the individual who fired the gun.

Environmentalists, outdoorsmen and Estaris confirmed that many hunters and poachers in the Ipo watershed area owned air guns that are often converted to a caliber .22.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Escudero joined the call for gun owners to put their weapons away during the New Year’s Eve celebrations to avoid injuring or even killing people.

“Let us not allow anyone to take away from us the joy in celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Day just because there are a few gun owners who opt to fire their weapons to celebrate,” Escudero said.

Based on PNP records, the youngest victim of indiscriminate firing so far is a 3-year-old girl from Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte who was hit in her upper right abdomen. Several others, including a 21-year-old student who was visiting Rizal Park in Manila, were reportedly hit by stray bullets.

“I call on all gun owners to do their share in keeping our environment safe. Let us all help in promoting peaceful and gun-free merrymaking in ushering the New Year,” Escudero said.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said the police have intensified efforts to prevent more stray bullet incidents in the country. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Marvin Sy