DUE to apparent complaints received by the City Council regarding the conduct of airsoft games particularly on city parks, the City Council during Monday’s regular session invited several airsoft groups including one of the complainants, Tuba Benguet Councilor Joshelle Ruth Bentrez-Bancilo.
The latter has aired her complaint and has written the City Government regarding an incident, which transpired sometime last March this year wherein she was hit by a stray bullet while making her speech during a clan reunion at the Ibaloi Park. The lady councilor said the bullet caused a chip on one of her tooth. During the deliberations, president of the Baguio Highland Airsoft Group (Bahag) Jojit Alvarez, however, stated that the safety of onlookers or passersby is their main concern when conducting airsoft games, and they have strict rules when it comes to the holding of such events.
It was later established that it was another group and not the Bahag, who were responsible in the incident involving Bentrez-Bancilo. With this, the council is now contemplating on regulating the said sport. Councilor Faustino Olowan wants a total ban on airsoft and related activities in all parks in the city. Olowan, in his proposal, stated that airsoft guns use compressed air to shoot pellets that can cause injury and can be easily mistaken for real guns with potentially deadly consequences.
He added that parks should be a peaceful environment for those seeking retreat and relaxation and also for recreational activities for the general public where tourists, visitors, as well as city residents flock and generally are teeming with people.
Meanwhile, Bentrez-Bancilo is contemplating on pursuing her complaint of reckless imprudence resulting to physical injuries if those involved in the untoward incident will not make an apology and settle the matter with her.