City police appeal for responsible revelry

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) asked residents to celebrate the Holidays responsibly.

Major Shella Mae Sangrines, ICPO spokesperson, made the call following a stray bullet incident on Christmas Eve in Mandurriao district.

“Responsible gun owners know the danger of discharging a firearm. So, I hope they would refrain from using their guns as a way to revel,” she said.

At around 12:05 AM on December 25, the Iloilo City Police Station 5 received a call about a stray bullet that hit a home in PHHC, Mandurriao.

Aiza Joy Lobo, 33, of Barangay Block 17, was in a drinking session when she saw a slug on the floor. It apparently went through their ceiling and then landed on the floor.

While no one was hit, she claimed it caused them fear and anxiety.

Major Rey Sumagaysay, ICPS5 chief, said they are still gathering information on the suspect behind the incident.

The recovered slug was sent on Sunday to the Regional Forensic Unit 6 for examination.

Sumagaysay said they are also asking village officials to help them in their investigation.

It appeared that the slug is compatible with that of a caliber .45 ammunition.

Meanwhile, Sangrines said they condemn the incident citing that it was an irresponsible act that endangers the lives of other residents.

Prior to the New Year celebration, she said that they held massive “recoreda” or public announcements all over the city to remind the residents against illegally discharging their firearms.

Residents were also told to only use firecrackers and pyrotechnics allowed by the government.

“We deemed that there’s a need to remind the public against the harm of discharging their guns,” she said.

Sangrines also pointed to several “red flags” on the possibility of gun holders firing their guns as a way to celebrate the New Year.

On December 14, an unidentified suspect strafed four vehicles parked at Barangay Monica-Blumentritt in City Proper district.

Two days later, another incident of illegal discharge of a firearm was recorded at the nearby Barangay Veterans Village.

“That’s why we are also soliciting help from the general public to report similar incidents or any information of gun-wielding individuals to authorities,” Sangrines said.

She added that it is ICPO’s desire that the public will celebrate the New Year with zero major incidents.