NCRPO: No stray bullet casualty in Metro Manila during the New Year revelry

MANILA, Philippines — No casualty caused by stray bullets was reported during the New Year festivities in Metro Manila, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said on Wednesday.

“In the case of stray bullets, I am happy to report that there was no stray bullet this past season. No one in Metro Manila has been injured or killed by stray bullets,” he said in a statement.

But there were three “isolated cases” of indiscriminate firing caused by police officers in Metro Manila — two in Caloocan City and one in Taguig City — during the Christmas season.

Eleazar said these incidents were “criminal in nature” and not gestures of celebrating the holidays.

The three policemen were already administratively and criminally charged, he said.

A case of indiscriminate firing by a civilian was also reported in Navotas City hours before 2019. The suspect was immediately arrested by the police, Eleazar said.

“As the year 2019 rang the other night to unfurl a new year ahead, team NCRPO’s full force made its presence felt and made Metro Manila a safer and more enjoyable to celebrate the coming year,” he said.

Eleazar said the NCRPO “successfully saturated” the traditional hotspots, including entertainment areas, on New Year’s Eve. /ee

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