Stray Bullets

We venture into the crime-ridden neighbourhoods of the Philippines to examine if a new law can get rid of gun violence.



You do not need to look far to see how deeply embedded the gun culture is in the Philippines.

A woman’s handbag, a businessman’s briefcase, or a taxi driver’s glove compartment are just a few of the many places you will find some of the close to four million guns in the country - both legal and illegal.

A spate of shootings - particularly the death of seven-year-old Stephanie Ella from celebratory gunfire during New Year’s celebrations in 2013 - sparked outrage in a country where carrying a gun has become a normal part of everyday life.

Jay Ella, Stephanie’s father, puts a human face to the gun violence that scars the streets of the Philippines - a nation where a handgun can be bought for sometimes as little as $50.

Police figures show the number of crime incidents involving firearms increased from 3,300 in 2008 to more than 5,700 in 2010.