Security guards' guns ordered taped until Jan. 2

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police, through the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA), ordered taping the muzzle of security guards' guns during the New Year's Eve revelry.

SOSIA ordered that all guns issued to all security guards should have their muzzles sealed by tape on Dec. 30. The guns will only be unsealed on Jan. 2, 2014.

The SOSIA directive is directed to all operators, managers and security officers of Police Security Agency , Police Detective Agency, Company Guard Forces  and Government Security Units.

"The said directive is in connection with the simultaneous implementation among provincial units to regional offices to make sure that the issued firearms of PNP personnel are not used other than in the performance of their sworn duties as law enforcers furthering to indiscriminately firing during the celebration of holiday seasons," the directive read.

According to SOSIA chief, Police Chief Superintendent Tomas Rentoy III, all private security agencies are required to submit report of compliance to the directive with supporting photos (showing that the muzzles are sealed) not later than Jan. 15, 2014 together with their monthly report for the month of Dec. 2013.

Rentoy said any security agency and security personnel who will fail to follow the directive will face appropriate charges.