Woman hit by stray bullet on Christmas Day

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 25-year-old woman was wounded after being hit by a stray bullet on Christmas Day in Pavia, Iloilo.

The victim, identified only as “Joy,” was having snacks with her cousin inside their compound in Barangay Pal-agon around 5 p.m. on Dec. 25 when they heard a loud bang that sounded like a firecracker.

Moments later, they noticed blood oozing from her left leg.

Her family immediately called for help from the Pavia Emergency Responders (PAVERS) and the Pavia Municipal Police Station.

Police responded promptly and arrested a neighbor, identified as “Ernesto,” 37, in connection with the shooting.

According to Lieutenant Gary Tayongtong, deputy chief of Pavia police, a witness saw Ernesto fire a gun near the time of the incident.

Reports said the suspect had been drinking liquor with his mother and a friend when he illegally discharged his firearm.

When police approached, Ernesto admitted to the crime and surrendered his handgun.

Neighbors said the suspect, a butcher by profession, had a habit of firing his gun whenever others set off firecrackers in the area.

The victim was rushed to West Visayas State University Hospital in Jaro, Iloilo City, where she underwent surgery.

Ernesto is now in police custody and will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries in relation to Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

As of Dec. 25, the Police Regional Office 6 had recorded only one illegal discharge of a firearm since the start of the holiday gun ban period on Dec. 16.