CEBU, Philippines - After learning that a security guard in Manila fired his service firearm during the New Year’s celebration, the Department of Health-7 will propose that the taping of gun muzzles should include firearms of security guards and private citizens.
The taping of gun muzzles is usually done to prevent policemen from firing their guns during the Christmas and New Year revelries. It will remain until the resumption of regular office hours in the New Year.
DOH-7 director Susana Madarieta said the proposal aims to lessen victims of stray bullets, which injured five people and killed one in Central Visayas during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Yesterday was the deadline for the submission of report of firecracker and stray bullets victims to the DOH central office in Manila.
Records from DOH- 7 showed that other than the five victims of stray bullets, at least 57 people were injured by firecrackers in the region.
Three people died in the firecracker explosion in Mandaue City and a six-year-old boy died after a “lantaka” or “improvised cannon” exploded in his face.
Madarieta, citing previous records, said that the report only shows that there are still individuals who indiscriminately fire their guns
“Halos every year, three to five gyud ang mabiktima sa stray bullets...there has never been a decrease in the number of stray bullets victims here,” she said.
DOH-7 will coordinate with the Philippine National Police, Department of Labor and Employment, manufacturers and retailers of firecrackers, and other agencies on its proposal.
The meeting, according to Madarieta, will be an “avenue to pinpoint problems and solutions of each region in dealing with the safety of the public.”
“Wala nato gi-consider na ang mga security guards and private citizens nga naa sad sila’y firearms. We will call to private citizens na dili magpabuto…they don’t realize na naay diay maigo sa bala,” she said.
Cebu Provincial Police Office director Jesus Gaquing said the proposal is a “good suggestion” but needs to be discussed as far as its “legality for strict implementation” is concerned.
He, however, said that the matter should first have a consultation with security agencies. - Marjun A. Baguio, University of Cebu intern/LPM (FREEMAN NEWS)