Schoolmates of Stephanie Nicole Ella, the 7-year-old girl who died from a stray bullet, marched on Thursday to condemn the use of guns in welcoming the new year.

Pupils of Tala Elementary School, accompanied by school officials, teachers and parents, staged a sympathy and indignation rally by marching from their school to the victim’s house at Lorenzo Ruiz Street in Barangay Malaria, Caloocan City.

The sympathizers, led by Marilyn Laureno, the school principal, were welcomed by the victim’s mother, Elaine.

One of those enraged by Nicole’s death was Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri, who offered a P200,000 reward to anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of Stephanie’s killer.

The mayor also ordered the local policemen to step up their investigation to immediately identify and arrest the culprit.

“Whoever is behind this incident that claimed the life of an innocent girl must be arrested and criminally held liable,” said Echiverri, who vowed to shoulder the hospital bills as well as the funeral expenses of the victim.

Stephanie’s teacher, Arlene Arellano, wanted the girl’s body to be brought to the school so that her schoolmates can pay their last respects.

Arellano described Stephanie as a consistent topnotcher in school.

The victim’s schoolmates and teachers also initiated a voluntary donation campaign.

Vergina Manaid, district school supervisor, said that the principals, teachers and parents from the seven elementary schools in their district will pool their resources to help the Ella family.

In Caloocan alone, police reports said that there were at least five incidents of indiscriminate firing.
Nationwide, at least 40 victims of stray bullets during the holiday celebrations were identified.

Enforce laws
The cases of stray bullet injuries and deaths alarmed Vice President Jejomar Binay, who challenged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strictly implement gun laws.

“The law must be enforced to the letter. We have enough laws to penalize but the problem has always been in the enforcement of the laws, especially those on loose firearms. That is the challenge for the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies,” Binay said.
He urged the police to exert all efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

“This incident should not be allowed to become just another statistic,” he said.

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd also ordered the PNP to immediately find and charge those who fired the guns that claimed the lives of the two children.

Roxas said that he personally relayed his order to PNP Director General Alan Purisima to track down the owners of the guns.

“I condemn these barbarous and senseless acts in the strongest terms and I want the perpetrators identified and brought to trial,” Roxas said. “Firing guns to welcome the New Year has no place in a civilized society, and those who fired the fatal bullets that killed innocent people must face the consequences of their recklessness.”

On Thursday, Purisima said that two policemen who were reportedly caught firing their firearms during the New Year revelries are facing possible dismissal from the police service.

Police hunt gunman
The PNP gave assurances that it is focusing its manhunt operations against the still unidentified gunman responsible for the death of Stephanie Nicole.

 “I assure the family of Nicole that we will do our best in the investigation and follow-ups to bring justice to the victim. I guarantee that I will personally monitor the developments of this case and also the other victims of stray bullets across the country,” Purisima said.

The police chief said that he had strictly instructed all commanders in areas of stray bullet incidents to conduct a house-to-house search within the 100-meter radius of the incident to determine possible suspects.

With reports from Anthony Vargas and Neil A. Alcober