LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — The Bicol police director has ordered an investigation into shooting incidents in the region, which reached 121 in the first four months of the year.
The probe ordered by Chief Superintendent Melvin Ramon Buenafe intends to determine, among others, if the incidents were drug-related and how many involved the use of loose firearms, Senior Inspector Ma. Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 5, said.
The gunplay left 71 persons dead and 38 wounded, Calubaquib said. Twelve other intended victims escaped unscathed.
The shootings targeted 108 males and 13 females.
Calubaquib said Masbate province recorded the most number of incidents, with 43, followed by Albay with 28, Camarines Sur 22, Sorsogon 15 and Camarines Norte 10. Naga City accounted for two incidents and Catanduanes for only one.
The Bicol police’s data showed 14 percent of the incidents happening between 8-8:45 a.m. with another 10 percent occurring around 10 p.m.
The other time periods in which shootings happened were 9-9:30 a.m. (8.5 percent), 12 to 1 p.m. (8 percent), 9-9:30 p.m. (8 percent0, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (7 percent), 1:30 a.m. (6 percent), and 2:30-3:30 p.m. (4.6 percent).
“We are still investigating why these incidents occurred within these period(s) of time, who are these victims, who are the suspects and the motive behind these cases,” Calubaquib said.