NCRPO orders removal of tape on cops' guns

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Alan Purisima ordered yesterday the removal of the tape covering the firearms of police officers to prevent them from using their guns during the New Year’s Day revelry.

“I received no spot report as yet with regard to violators of our ban on firing of handguns, meaning our policemen heeded our directive,” Purisima said in an interview.

According to Purisima, every police unit in Metro Manila can now remove the tape on the guns of their personnel. The program resulted in the reduction of stray bullet injuries in Metro Manila, where a total of 168 casualties were recorded from Dec. 16, 2011 to Jan. 1.

Meanwhile, Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Superintendent Antonio Decano ordered yesterday random paraffin tests for all his personnel to see if any police officer illegally fired their guns during the New Year revelry.

NPD public information chief Superintendent Ferdinand del Rosario said the paraffin testing should take two days to accommodate all 300 police officers at the district. – Non Alquitran, Jerry Botial, Pete Laude