Man hit by stray bullet during Sept. 21 riot in Manila dies — MPD
A 35-year-old man was confirmed to have died after being hit by a stray bullet during the Sept. 21 riot in Recto, Manila, the Police District (MPD) confirmed on Monday, Sept. 29.
A photo taken during the wake of Eric Saber who was fatally hit by a stray bullet during the Sept. 21 riot in Recto, Manila. (Photo from Kabataan Partylist)
MPD spokesperson Maj. Philipp Ines identified the fatality as Eric Saber, a construction worker from Tondo, Manila.
According to Saber's brother, he and Eric were on their way home from work when they were left stranded in Recto after a riot between the police and several youths ensued that evening.
After a while, he saw his brother collapse after being hit by a stray bullet in the neck.
The police said Eric was quickly rushed to the hospital, but eventually succumbed to his injury after two days.
Ines said the investigation on Saber's death is still ongoing and that the police have already obtained statements from the witnesses on the incident. However, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage in the area remains unavailable after the rioters destroyed the cameras.
He clarified that the bullet that hit Saber did not come from the police and stressed that the police force observed "maximum tolerance" during the demonstrations and riot.
Aside from Saber, a Grade 10 student from Taguig City was fatally stabbed by a watch repairman during the riot in Recto that night.
The suspect, identified as 52-year-old Richard Francisco, voluntarily surrendered to the police on Sept. 22.