2 children hurt in Malabon shooting

MANILA, Philippines - A five-year-old girl was hit by a stray bullet when her neighbor allegedly shot a 16-year-old boy he suspected of theft in Malabon City Thursday.

Crissel Cervantes, a resident of Hasa-Hasa street in Barangay Longos, is undergoing treatment at the Malabon City community hospital for a gunshot wound she suffered when the bullet entered her right buttock and went through her abdomen.

Police Officer 2 Rommel Habig said Cervantes’ neighbor, Tommel Fuggan, 32, was seen chasing the boy at around 5 p.m.

Armed with a handgun, Fuggan reportedly shot the boy three times in the left foot, but a stray bullet hit Cervantes. The boy is confined at the Tondo Medical Center due to a shattered foot. Fuggan fled after the shooting, bringing his handgun.

Fuggan reportedly accused the boy of stealing the motorcycle battery of his brother-in-law on Monday while the vehicle was parked in front of the boy’s house, also in Barangay Longos.

On Thursday, the suspect confronted the boy, who ran away, prompting Fuggan to shoot at him, police said.      – Pete Laude