3 people hurt by stray bullets in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least three people, including two minors, were wounded on Christmas Day by stray bullets during two shooting incidents Pagadian and Dapitan cities in Zamboanga peninsula, police said.

A fisherman was also seriously wounded when he was also shot by unidentified suspect in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on the same day while waiting on a pizza parlor.

Police identified the stray bullet victims as minors DJ Silao, 5 and his 4-year-old brother Birth Kid, both residents of Purok Kapalaran, Barangay District, Pagadian City. The other stray bullet victim was Marvin Adapon, 24 and a resident of Barangay Cawa-Cawa, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said the two minors were with their parent waiting for a motorized tricycle when three unidentified gunmen shot a certain Pakoy Glimada and missed as their intended target scurried and escaped.

Huesca said the suspects kept on firing at Glimada and hit the two minors.

The elder Silao was hit on his back with the bullet exiting his abdomen while his younger brother was hit on his hand.

Responding police recovered from the crime scene at least six empty shells discharged from a .45 caliber pistol. The recovered items were brought to the police crime lab for ballistic examination.

Both victims were rushed at the Jamillarin Hospital for treatment where DJ remained in critical condition. 

Adapon, on the other hand, was about to pee on a stone wall along Jose Mercada Street in Barangay Cawa-Cawa, Dapitan when he heard gunshot rang nearby about 10 a.m. Wednesday from two unidentified people.

Adapon scampered for safety in the nearby garage but later found himself shot by a stray bullet

Meanwhile, police investigation disclosed that a wounded fisherman identified as Asgar Alhamid, 30, a resident of Mabini Street, Cotabato City was waiting on a pizza parlor when two unidentified gunmen emerged and fired on him about 3:33 p.m. Wednesday Urro Street, San Jose District, Pagadian City.

The suspects immediately escaped while the wounded victim rushed himself at the nearby hospital for treatment.