9 held for indiscriminate firing in Manila
Nine persons, including two minors, were arrested for indiscriminate firing in Malate, Manila yesterday morning.
Charges of alarm and scandal, illegal possession of firearms and violation of election-related gun ban were filed by the Manila Police District (MPD) against Anjo Padilla, 27; Jeffrey Mendoza, 32; Luilius Dolante, 30; Maryjay Dominguez, 29; Beucan Morillo, 23; Wendel de Guzman, 24; Marc Senez, 21, and two girls.
Malate residents called the MPD Station 9 after one of the suspects fired several shots at the corner of Aldecoa and M.H. del Pilar streets at around 5:40 a.m.
Closed-circuit television footage obtained by The STAR showed three Honda cars – yellow, black and white – lined up on the outer lane at a traffic light.
One of the occupants of the yellow car got out, followed by two men from the white car. The first man walked to the black and retrieved a sling bag.
The man, who was wearing a black baseball cap, a shirt and shorts, pulled out a gun and fired several shots in the air, almost emptying the chamber of what police said was a Glock pistol.
A bystander said the man was shouting “Happy New Year!” while firing the gun.
At least 12 spent shells were recovered from the scene.
Police officers caught up with the suspects along Quirino Avenue.
At the MPD Station 9, where the suspects were detained, station commander Superintendent Bobby Glen Ganipac refused to be interviewed by reporters.
A television news crew said they waited for several hours to interview Ganipac, but the official allegedly “holed up” in his office.
“What is he hiding? Why doesn’t he speak to reporters?” an irate reporter asked.
An insider said the suspects had a drinking spree at one of the bars in Malate and were on their way home to Cavite.
The source said they are still verifying reports that at least three of the suspects were relatives of an influential person from Cavite.