PNP: no muzzle taping this year

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 will skip the gun-muzzle taping activity for the New Year’s Day celebration, to comply with the directives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Headquarters in Camp Crame.

PRO-7 Chief Jose Mario Espino told reporters yesterday that taping of firearms will only show that policemen could not be trusted when it comes to the observance of not firing their guns.

“Yan ang directive na walang muzzle taping because we know our men are disciplined at hindi nila gagamitin ang issued firearm (for) indiscriminate firing,” Espino said.

Last year, the PNP also did not seal the muzzle of their service firearms during the holiday season.

This year, PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa confirmed through a radio interview on Christmas Eve that they would not also be putting tapes on the muzzles of the policemen’s firearms.

Espino warned cops that they will be facing appropriate charges if they illegally discharge their service firearms during the celebration.

“Kung meron, they will face dismissal sa service.  Ganun din yung commanders,” Espino said.

He pointed out that he was able to report last December 25 a 58-year-old retired policeman for illegal discharge of firearms.

Operatives of the Mabolo Police Station immediately arrested Baltazar Paunil for firing a gun.

Paunil is temporarily detained in one of the holding cells prior to filing of appropriate charges for Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearm Regulation and Ammunition Act and City Ordinance 1929 for causing trouble while drunk.

According to Espino, all ground commanders have been directed to conduct information dissemination and to patrol their immediate area of jurisdiction.

Part of which is to encourage the public to avoid indiscriminate firing and the proper observance of using firecrackers in the designated firecracker zone set by the local government unit.

“Walang tulugan.  The commanders are required to go around at paalalahanan ang ating communities barangays na wag gagamit ng baril during the celebration at umiwas sa pag papaputok ng ipinagbabawal na paputok,” Espino said. (FREEMAN)