Baguio New Year’s Gunfire: Retired US soldier faces charges following indiscriminate firing along Kisad Road

Baguio City, Philippines – Amid the fireworks and cheers welcoming the New Year, police authorities in Baguio responded to an indiscriminate firing incident along Kisad Road on January 1, 2026, which triggered fear among nearby hotel guests and residents.

According to the police report obtained by DZWT 540 AM – News and Information, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) was notified of the incident between 1:55 and 2:20 a.m., amid the ongoing New Year festivities in the city.

A hotel guest, alarmed by the repeated gunfire, went to the Tourist Police Unit to report the matter, prompting an immediate police response.

Upon arrival at the scene, responders found 26 spent shell casings from a .22-caliber firearm and 30 spent shell casings from a 9mm handgun. Police also discovered that nearby road signage had been damaged by a bullet, indicating that the firearms had been discharged recklessly.

Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported.

After a thorough investigation, the suspect was identified as a 56-year-old retired member of the United States Army, who had been staying long-term at a hotel along Kisad Road.

In a follow-up report, the BCPO said the suspect, whose name was withheld, voluntarily surrendered to authorities.

The 56-year-old now faces charges for illegal discharge of firearms and malicious mischief. The case has been referred to the city prosecutor’s office, but proceedings will continue under regular filing after the lone witness—a hotel guest—refused to execute a sworn statement.

Following the incident, the BCPO reminded the public that, while New Year’s celebrations are often loud and festive, firearms are not noisemakers, and irresponsible discharge of guns is a serious offense that endangers lives.

As for the total number of indiscriminate firing incidents in Baguio and across the Cordillera region, there is no publicly available report from the concerned agency as of now.