MANILA, Philippines — Police have arrested 18 civilians while seven people were injured due to indiscriminate firing ahead of the New Year’s Eve revelry, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrested three civilians. This is the most number of arrested civilians nabbed for indiscriminate firing, police said.
Police said there were one each who were nabbed in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and in Caraga Region.
Meanwhile, police arrested two each in the Bicol Region, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Of the 18 incidents of indiscriminate gun discharge, two were injured in Metro Manila while five were in NCRPO while 5 were hurt in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
PNP records also showed that there were three incidents of stray bullets with no fatalities and suspects.
According to the PNP, there was one incident in Metro Manila and two from the Caraga region.
Banac said the PNP will file the appropriate charges against the arrested suspects.
Under Article 155 of Revised Penal Code, illegal discharge of firearms is penalized by 30 days of imprisonment or a fine not exceeding P200.