TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Three minors were injured in a fire that gutted stalls selling firecrackers at the Bulanao Public Market here on New Year’s Eve.
Police Capt. Ruff Manganip, Kalinga police information officer, identified the victims as a five-year-old girl, a 10-year-old girl, and a 14-year-old boy, all from Mindanao.
Manganip said a stray firecracker hit one stall and the other stalls caught fire one after the other.
He said 20 stalls were destroyed, all of which were licensed.
Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection responded to the fire. Arson investigators deemed the fire an accident.
Meanwhile, a 56-year-old retired foreign military serviceman faces charges for indiscriminate firing on New Year’s Day in Baguio City.
The Baguio City Police Office said the incident occurred at Ina Mansion on Kisad Road between 1:55 a.m. and 2:20 a.m.
Police immediately conducted a follow-up investigation and coordination and learned that the suspect renting a unit in the building fired a gun. Recovered in the building were fired cartridge cases of a .22 caliber and a 9mm firearm.
The suspect voluntarily went to the police and he surrendered his allegedly licensed gun for verification.
The case was initially referred to the City Prosecutor's Office for possible inquest proceedings.
However, the case would be subject to regular filing after the sole witness, identified as a guest, refused to make an affidavit.
No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.