Man Killed By Stray Bullet Fired By Village Chieftain In Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 16, 2008) – A man was killed by a stray bullet after a village chieftain, irked by noises from his neighborhood, allegedly fired his gun in the air in Pagadian City in Mindanao, police said.

Police said Henry Arao, of San Jose village, is being hunted for the killing that occurred over the weekend.

Senior Superintendent Mario Fermendoza, a regional police spokesman, said the Arao fired two shots in the air and one of the bullets hit the head of Danielle Ace, who was on board a motorcycle with his father.

The man did not reach the hospital alive, he said. (Erico Rosco)

Boy Hit By Stray Bullet In Southern Philippines

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 19 Mar) - A boy is in critical condition after he was hit by a stray bullet while eating dinner inside their house in the southern Philippines, police said.

Police said the nine-year old Jerome Talino was rushed to hospital late Sunday in General Santos City from their village in Libe in Malapatan town.

His family told police that they were having dinner when the boy suddenly slumped on his plate, his head oozing with blood from the wound.

The family said they heard a gunshot and thought it was a firecracker, but was shocked to find that the boy was hit by stray bullet.

It was unknown who fired the shot, police said. Illegal weapons are rampant in the southern Philippines. (Romy Bwaga)