PNP spokesperson says 4 arrested for indiscriminate firing over holidays

MANILA – A report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) National Operation Center at Camp Crame showed that over the Christmas season, four people were arrested for indiscriminate gun firing and four guns were likewise confiscated, as were 420 pieces and 206 reams of illegal firecrackers.

This information was revealed by PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, who also said that a Manila police officer was among those arrested for indiscriminate firing.

Mayor said that Police Officer 2 Alger Balligud has been relieved of his duties, on orders of PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina. Balligud reportedly fired his weapon several times along T.

Pinpin Street in Binondo after getting into an altercation with his wife on December 22.

“We have disciplinary mechanisms,” Mayor said, as he cited that Balligud will face summary dismissal if he fails to justify his actions.

‘Firing a gun indiscriminately is definitely illegal,” he added, noting that as of December 26, there were 17 reported cases across the nation of illegal discharge of firearms, with six reported cases of injury.