MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday identified seven of those seen in photos of alleged indiscriminate firing during the New Year revelry.
Chief Inspector Rex Bucayan chief of police of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur said Cezar Funtanilla, Mark RJ Cabana, Jumar Cabreros, Ian Christopher Calixterio, Russel Funtanilla, Geronimo Gapusan Gomez and Philip Andrew Funtanilla face charges for illegal possession and, possibly, also illegal discharge of firearms.
"Yun po muna ang pwedeng maikaso sa kanila tapos susunod 'yung illegal possession [of firearms] kapag makumpleto po natin 'yung dokumento nila," Bucayan said in a dzMM interview.
The gun slingers showing bullets and holding rifles supposedly appear in photos posted by a certain Drew Lutchina on Facebook over the weekend that shortly went viral.
READ: Indiscriminate firing photos spread
Bucayan said that the suspects are civilians who are either still in college or working as young professionals.
Acting PNP chief Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, meanwhile, said that the military-issued rifles such as the M14 and the M16 are also seen in the pictures.
"Pang military agency lang po 'yan at sa PNP lang po 'yan," Espina said.
Netizens, who have been vigilant in monitoring illegal activities like indiscriminate firing, urged the PNP to take action against the gunslingers.
Several cases of indiscriminate firing occurred despite the stern warning of the PNP.
As of 8 a.m. on Sunday, the PNP has recorded 61 stray bullet incidents and 43 people injured nationwide.
An 11-year-old girl died in Tayum, Abra hours after she was hit by a stray bullet in the head and investigators have yet to identify the person responsible. - Camille Diola