Oppus: Muzzle taping not needed, but will comply

CEBU, Philippines - Senior Superintendent Louie Oppus, Police Regional Office – 7 Deputy for Operations believes that taping the muzzle of policemen’s guns is no longer needed in the region because he believes that the policemen in the region are more educated than before.

Unlike before, Oppus said policemen now understand the consequences of being involved in indiscriminate firing which carries a penalty of dismissal from the force, adding that “our police are educated already.”

However, this does not means that he would defy Camp Crame’s orders once taping gun muzzles commences anytime this week.

Oppus’ statement came after Camp Crame postponed the annual taping of policemen’s gun muzzles which was supposedly scheduled last Monday during their weekly flag raising ceremony.

“We will hold in abeyance the taping of firearms, due to the present security situation,” Oppus quoted a text from Camp Crame.

He, however, did not clarify why Camp Crame suddenly deferred their annual muzzle taping. Once initiated, Oppus said he will make sure that those who will defy the policy will be punished.

“We will not santo-santo those police na magpaputok,” he said.

Oppus further said all policemen should be good role models for the public to emulate and should not be the ones who violate the law.

For those policemen who will endanger people’s lives, he said they will surely face the appropriate retributive actions.

Oppus stressed that they simply need to do their jobs.

He also urged the public to be their eyes and ears against policemen who would fire their guns on Christmas and this coming New Year.

To recall, several policemen in the past have been involved in indiscriminate firing, which they want to prevent this year.

Taping the muzzles of the policemen’s guns is the Philippine National Police’s precautionary measure to monitor their men. Last week, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Central Visayas had taped their gun muzzles ahead of the PNP.

Oppus, however, said that there would definitely be a muzzle taping this year, adding that they are just waiting for the formal order from Camp Crame. –(FREEMAN)