Public urged to report incidents of indiscriminate firing

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar called on the public to remain vigilant and promptly report if they witness any indiscriminate firing incident to the nearest police station or precinct. (PNA Photo)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) appealed to the public on Wednesday to immediately report cases of indiscriminate firing especially during the New Year’s Eve celebration.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar called on the public to remain vigilant and promptly report if they witness any indiscriminate firing incident to the nearest police station or precinct.

“Appeal natin sa public is their vigilance, kung may nakita sila mga nag-iinuman at may nakita silang nakasukbit na baril or may naobserbahan sila o narinig na putok i-report kaagad nila sa nearest police station (We want to appeal to the public to be vigilant. If they see men having a drinking spree and one of them has gun in his waist, or hear gun shots, then report them immediately to the nearest police station),” Eleazar told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview.

The NCRPO chief said that aside from the public’s vigilance, the PNP would deploy more uniformed policemen in areas where indiscriminate firing of guns and stray bullets happened in the past New Year celebrations.

He ordered the cancellation of the rest and recreation and other leave applications of policemen and directed them to report for duty during the holidays.

“The concept is to deploy in areas where indiscriminate firing is prevalent or most common. If there were reports from nearest police station and gagawin ng police from the station ibabato ‘yung info dun sa mga naka-deploy na police na malapit sa area… through hot pursuit kung kinakailangan pasukin ang bahay without warrant ay papasukin namin ‘yung bahay para maaresto yung nagpaputok (the information will be relayed to police officers deployed in the area and if necessary — through hot pursuit — they go after the suspects even if they run into their homes and arrest them even without a warrant). That’s our warning,” Eleazar.

Meanwhile, PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde appealed to gun owners to be responsible and not use their guns to welcome the New Year.

“To all civilians who are also gun owners whether licensed or loose firearms, huwag na po natin paputukin ‘yan dahil makakadisgrasya tayo(Do not fire your guns as it can hurt someone). Remember may kasabihan na (there’s saying) what goes up must come down. Makakapatay po ng kapwa ‘yan kahit na sa loob ng bahay tumatagos ‘yan (They can kill even those inside the house),” Albayalde said in recent interview.

The PNP chief said that there will be no muzzle taping of guns for this year’s holiday revelry to prove that police personnel are responsible enough.

“To show to the public na tayo ay (that we are) responsible policemen at ang hanay (the force) want to professionalize the organization. So, let us all be responsible gun owners especially to the members of AFP, PNP, and armed agencies of our government,” said Albayalde.

Albayalde, however, warned that cops will face appropriate charges if they illegally discharge their service firearms during the celebration while their immediate superiors will also be sanctioned.

“So, I think by this time we have already given strict directive and we have cautioned over and over again our personnel not to indulge in indiscriminate firing. Otherwise, that will mean their immediate dismissal from the service,” Albayalde said.

The PNP will also go after persons selling or using illegal firecrackers.

Albayalde said that Memorandum Order No. 31, signed on Oct. 29 by President Rodrigo Duterte, mandates the PNP, in coordination with other concerned agencies and the local governments, to conduct inspections to ensure that manufacturers, distributors, retailers and users of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices comply with the government’s safety guidelines.

He said the licenses and permits of those found in violation of existing laws, rules and regulations will be “cancelled or revoked.”

“Per that Memorandum we will also suspend the processing of new licenses and permits for the manufacture, sale, and distribution of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices pending review of existing licensees’ and permittees’ compliance with laws, rules and regulations,” Albayalde said.

Duterte signed Memorandum Order No.

31 instructing the PNP and other concerned agencies to strictly implement laws and regulations on the sale, manufacture and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.