CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña on Tuesday evening, July 10, said he will cover the wake and burial expenses of the four-year-old child who was hit by a stray bullet in an anti-drug operation in Barangay Ermita.
Osmeña, in his Facebook post, said that he met with Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma and the family of Skyler Abatayo.
"I have assured the family that all expenses related to the wake and burial will be taken cared of," Osmeña said, adding that "We can even look for funding for family members who want to visit from out of town. It is the least we can do."
Senior Inspector John Kareen Escober of Carbon Police Station said authorities were conducting a legimate anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Ermita on Tuesday afternoon when Abatayo was hit by a stray bullet in the chest area.
Abatayo was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.
Escober said that the bullet came from the gun of the drug personalities, subject of the operation, when it went off during the struggle.
“Akong gipangutana ang atong mga polis, definitely wala'y nakapabuto sa ilaha. (Our police officers did not fire their guns)," Escober said.
Police recovered from the scene P85,000 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu," and other drug paraphernalia. (Sunnex/With reports from JOB of SunStar Cebu)