Cops seal guns for holidays

MANILA, Philippines - The symbolic sealing of the muzzles of service firearms of the 150,000 policemen started yesterday as police officials warned law enforcers that those found guilty of indiscriminately firing their firearms during the holidays would be dismissed from the service and will face criminal and administrative charges.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said erring policemen would be sanctioned severely if they were found to have fired their guns during the revelry.

“Criminal charges may mean a case of alarm and scandal, while administrative charges may mean a case of grave misconduct, which may result in dismissal from the service,” said Mayor.

At PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, more than 1,500 policemen took part in the sealing of their service firearms yesterday morning, said Chief Superintendent Albert Supapo, chief of the PNP Headquarters Support Service.

Mayor said the tapes, signed by the commanding officer, will be removed a day after the New Year.

However, policemen on duty may remove the tapes on the muzzles in special circumstances related to their duty as policemen. Policemen need to justify the removal of the seal.

Supapo said the taping of gun muzzles is part of the PNP’s move to be gun-free, particularly indiscriminate firing among policemen.

PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina placed the entire police on heightened alert, meaning all leave privileges of policemen will be canceled.

The heightened alert will be in effect through the holidays, or until Jan. 3.

Mayor said the regional directors have the prerogative to upgrade the alert to full alert depending on the situation in their area.

The PNP has linked up with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in conducting patrols to arrest those caught firing their gun indiscriminately during the holiday.

Espina said the PNP is coordinating with the AFP, other law enforcement agencies and local government units in conducting intensified intelligence efforts to identify possible violators.

“The police-military preventive patrols will apprehend uniformed personnel, members of law enforcement agencies and civilians involved in indiscriminate firing,” said Espina.

In late 2012, 11-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella was hit by a stray bullet as she was watching a fireworks display in Caloocan City. She died in 2013.