Purisima vows justice for stray bullet victim

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) extended sympathies to the family of Stephanie Nicole Ella who was hit by a stray bullet on New Year's eve, with a vow to bring justice to the slain seven-year-old child.

Director General Alan Purisima, PNP chief, guaranteed that he will personally monitor the development of the case and also of the other victims of stray bullets across the country.

"We, too, feel the pain as we have been in the forefront of making the New Year revelry safe for everybody. I assure the family of Nicole that we will do our best in the investigation and follow-up operation to bring justice to the victim," said Purisima.

The PNP chief said he has already directed all police commanders in all the areas where stray bullet victims were recorded to identify and map all gun holders within the 50 or 100-meter radius depending on the trajectory of the stray bullets to determine possible suspects.

Purisima added that he has also reminded police commanders to step up the house visitation not only as part of the accounting of loose firearms but also in determining if these guns with expired licenses were among those used in indiscriminate firing during the New Year revelry.

The country's top cop also appealed to the public to help the PNP in tracking irresponsible gun owners by reporting to the police those who have been engaging in indiscriminate firing in their community.

Purisima said these reports could map future operations to prevent the repeat of stray bullet casualties.

"Let us not turn Nicole’s death into naught. We encourage the public to join us in the pursuit of justice for Nicole and the rest of the stray bullet victims and ensure a safe celebration of Christmas and New Year in the future. This will be our collective tribute to her," Purisima concluded. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)