Senior citizen dies from stray bullet

A 62-year-old man died after being struck by a stray bullet during Christmas Eve celebrations in Barangay San Francisco, highlighting a series of indiscriminate firing incidents reported across the country.

Mabalacat City police identified the victim as Raul Pangilinan and investigators said that the victim was sitting in front of his residence Wednesday night when he was hit. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Police Col. Eugene Marcelo, director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, is personally overseeing the investigation. Pangilinan’s relatives have offered a cash reward for information leading to the identification of the person responsible.

Meantime, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Friday that seven people have been arrested for indiscriminate firing between 16 and 26 December.

The arrests include four PNP personnel.

The PNP is currently enforcing a “one-strike” policy, which mandates the immediate administrative dismissal and filing of criminal charges against any personnel involved in celebratory gunfire.

Another stray bullet casualty was reported in Tondo, Manila, also on Christmas Eve, though officials did not immediately confirm the victim’s condition.

Under Philippine law, indiscriminate firing — the reckless discharge of a firearm without a specific target — is a criminal offense. Stricter penalties were recently introduced under Republic Act 11926.

Authorities urged the public to report illegal gunfire to the nearest police station or emergency services as New Year’s Eve celebrations approach.