Girl, 2, killed by stray bullet

MANILA, Philippines - A two-year-old girl died after being hit by a stray bullet fired by a policeman whose brother was shot and seriously wounded by two men in Pasig City Monday.

Anna Maris Abayon, of Magdalena Homes, Baltazar street, Sitio Mapayapa in Barangay Sto. Tomas, died from a gunshot wound in the head at the Pasig City General Hospital.

Police Officer 3 Reynante Cueto, detailed at the Police Security and Protection Group, has yet to surface after the incident, said city police chief Senior Superintendent Jose Hidalgo Jr.

Hidalgo said Cueto rushed to his mother’s home after learning that his younger brother, Police Officer 2 Jason Cueto, was shot by Datu Mandog Boratong and one alias “Itlog” at past 8 a.m.

Reports said the younger Cueto, a member of the Quezon City Police District Station 8, was helping his mother prepare dumplings that she would sell when the suspects approached him and shot him at close range.

Witnesses told police probers that the elder Cueto got mad upon learning that his brother was shot. He pulled out his gun and fired five to six shots, they said.

Police said Abayon, who was inside their house, was hit by a stray bullet.

The victim’s father, Cris, went to the police station Monday night and filed a complaint against the elder Cueto, who is said to be a bodyguard for a retired police general.

Charges of homicide will be filed against him before the Pasig City prosecutor’s office.

Investigators have yet to establish the motive for the attack on the younger Cueto who was listed in critical condition at the Rizal Medical Center due to a bullet wound in the head.

“I did a background check on him and his superiors said he has no derogatory record,” Hidalgo said.

Police are tracking down the two suspects, who escaped after the shooting.