Taiwanese tourist hit by stray bullet in Pateros

MANILA, Philippines - A Taiwanese man greeted the new year with a wound in his right hand after he was hit by a stray bullet as the clock struck 12 midnight.

According to the Southern Police District, Piao Lin, a tourist staying at 17 M. Lozada St. in Barangay Sto. Rosario was outside his house and enjoying the revelry when he suddenly felt pain in his right hand.

Inspection showed that Piao was hit by a bullet of a still unknown caliber. Piao was taken to the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital (TPDH) for emergency treatment.

The SPD said the recovered slug that hit Piao has already been sent to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for possible identification of the gun used.

Meanwhile, the TPDH has reported having treated 16 people for firecracker injuries during the New Year’s Eve revelry.

TPDH director, Dr. Prudencio Sta. Lucia, said of those treated for firecracker-related injuries, nine were children. All of those treated for firecracker-related injuries were later released from the hospital.

Sta. Lucia said most of the victims were treated for injuries caused by piccolo, kwitis and lusis.

On Christmas eve, Antonette Bahar, 37, a resident of Aguirre St., South Signal Village, Taguig, was also hit by a stray bullet.

According to initial police investigation, prior to the shooting, relatives of the victim heard a commotion outside the gate of their house.

When the victim and her relatives went out to find out what the commotion was about, a gunshot rang out. Suddenly, the victim fell to the ground with a bullet wound in her left abdomen.