CHIZ APPEALS TO GUN OWNERS: REFRAIN FROM FIRING WEAPONS
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

Vice-presidential frontrunner Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero urged gun owners not to fire their weapons during the New Year's Eve revelry to ensure a peaceful and joyful celebration in welcoming 2016.

From Dec. 16 to 26 this year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP), there were six recorded stray bullet casualties, including a 9-year-old girl from Bulacan who died on Christmas Day after she was hit in the back while playing near Ipo dam the day before.

"Huwag nating hayaang nakawin nino man ang masaya sanang selebrasyon ng Pasko at Bagong Taon dahil lang sa iilang mga nagmamay-ari ng baril na nagpapaputok bilang bahagi ng kanilang pagsasaya,"Escudero said.

"Ako'y nakikiusap sa mga nagmamay-ari ng baril na huwag na po tayong magpaputok upang maiwasan ang aksidente na maaring mauwi sa trahedya. Ito na sana ang ating kontribusyon para sa isang mapayapa at masayang pagpasok ng bagong taon," he added.

Based on PNP records, the youngest victim of indiscriminate firing to date is a 3-year-old girl from Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte who was hit in her upper right abdomen. Other victims include a 21-year-old student who was visiting Rizal Park in Manila; a 32-year-old man who got hit in the left ankle in Gen. Trias, Cavite; a 50-year-old man who was shot in his left leg; and a 34-year-old from Bayambang, Pangasinan who sustained an injury in his left thigh.

"I call on all gun owners to do their share in keeping our environment safe. Let us all help in promoting a peaceful and gun-free merrymaking in ushering the New Year," Escudero said.