Girl killed by stray bullet in Marikina

A 10-year-old girl was killed after being hit by a stray bullet during an encounter last Sunday between responding policemen and a group of armed men in Marikina City.

Janet Caballero, a Grade 4 pupil and a resident of Barangay Concepcion Uno, was walking along the street when hit by a bullet in the head. She died while being treated at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

Police arrested Gerald Visconde, 28, and a 15-year-old boy, both of San Mateo, Rizal who yielded a fan knife each. The two were part of a group that fought it out with lawmen, police said.

Reports showed that the local police received a call from a concerned citizen at about 7:30 a.m. last Sunday regarding the presence of a group of men playing with a handgun along Bayan-Bayanan Avenue in Barangay Concepcion Uno.

When officers arrived on board an open van with police markings, the suspects opened fire at their direction, witnesses said.

The policemen returned fire.

During the exchange of gunfire, Caballero was hit by a stray bullet.

The policemen gave chase as the troublemakers fled. Those arrested are now detained at the Marikina City police custodial center.

Policemen rushed Caballero to the hospital.

Chief Superintendent Ernesto Belen, director of the crime laboratory of the Philippine National Police, said they are trying to determine which gun fired the bullet that killed the girl. — Non Alquitran