Parents of Surigao stray bullet victim appeal for support

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The parents of Jenelito Pacañor, 15, who was hit by a stray bullet during the New Year’s Eve revelry, are appealing for financial help as their son needs to undergo another brain operation.

“A second expensive brain surgery is needed but the doctor told us that since Jenelito’s brain is still numb. The doctors will wait for the brain to go back to normal before the second surgery will be conducted,” Jacinto, 63, and Calinica, 56, told The STAR at the Butuan Medical Center Monday afternoon.

Jacinto said it means his son would have to stay for another week at the intensive care unit of the hospital.

“We already signed a promissory note…this is our biggest problem,” he said.

The couple said they have been receiving donations from anonymous donors, including a couple who gave them P20,000 and a man who gave P1,000.

The couple said they also received assistance from local officials.

Meanwhile, Surigao City director Superintendent Joseph Nohara told The STAR that he asked Jenelito’s doctor and Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. to release the slug removed from Jenelito’s head to help them identify the suspect.