THE POLICE Regional Office XI is currently investigating after a minor sustained injuries early Sunday morning after unidentified assailants indiscriminately fired a weapon in Sitio Proper One, Barangay Meybio, this municipality.
According to a report from the Jose Abad Santos Municipal Police Station, they received information from their intelligence personnel at approximately 2:35 a.m. regarding the illegal discharge of a firearm in the aforementioned location.
Upon receiving the report, a team led by PMSgt Julius M Angos, the duty investigator, and Major Ronilo Teman, the chief of police, was immediately conducted an ocular investigation.
Initial findings revealed that at approximately 2:35 a.m., two individuals on a motorcycle stopped along the road and fired their firearm(s) without aiming at a specific target.
The bullet(s) either ricocheted or directly struck the right arm of a minor who was asleep inside their makeshift dwelling situated across the road from where the shots were fired.
Investigators recovered 15 cartridge cases from a 9mm pistol at the scene.
The bullets were submitted for ballistic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
In a message to TIMES on Sunday afternoon, PRO XI spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey confirmed the said house is owned by a supporter of the mayor in the said town.
In a Facebook post, the said house owner is an incumbent barangay councilor in the area.
When asked if the incident can be considered as election related, Dela Rey said,” Under investigation if it is election related.”
Moreover, The Jose Abad Santos MPS, augmented by a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion XI, is currently conducting follow-up investigation to identify and potentially apprehend the suspects.
The injured minor was taken to Thomas Lachica Medical Hospital but transfered to the Southern Philippines Medical Center for further medical attention.
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