AUTHORITIES on Wednesday, January 3, have identified the man who indiscriminately fired his gun on New Year's Eve in Casinglot, Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental.
The Tagoloan police identified the suspect as Roberto Gadian Jr. who has a standing arrest warrant for illegal drug charges.
Police said an informant, who was travelling towards the nearby village onboard a motorcycle, saw the suspect fired a gun.
The stray bullet pierced through the roof and ceiling before it fell on the left arm of the victim identified as Jerry Taculod.
The victim was not wounded.
"Walang injury yung victim kasi nahulog yung bala at nag-touch sa arm niya kasi yung climax ng bullet nahumana man," Senior Inspector Corrine Mae Estigoy, Misamis Oriental provincial police office spokesperson, said.
On Monday night, personnel from the Tagoloan town police launched a manhunt operation against the suspect after the latter was sighted in the area.
However, the suspect noticed the presence of the police operatives and drew his gun but failed to fired it because he accidentally fell on the ground.
The suspect swiftly stood up and ran leaving the gun on the ground. A brief chase ensued but the suspect evaded arrest.
The recovered gun was a .38 caliber revolver loaded with four bullets.
Authorities brought the gun to the crime laboratory to check if it matches to the stray bullet found at Taculod's house.
Estigoy said Tagoloan police had already intensified its intelligence operation to locate the suspect.
"Main activity ng suspect is illegal drugs at may standing arrest warrant na siya. Mabilis kasi niyang ma-notice ang mga police kaya hindi siya nahuhuli," Estigoy said.
Estigoy said the police charged the suspect on Wednesday with alarm and scandal and illegal possession of firearm.
