Cops caught firing guns face dismissal

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ricardo Marquez yesterday warned police officers that they face dismissal from the service if they are caught firing their guns during the New Year revelry.

Police personnel earlier sealed the muzzles of their service firearms to prevent indiscriminate firing and stray bullet injuries during the revelry.

“I will not hesitate to recommend their dismissal if they are caught firing their guns,” Marquez said.

He said police officers should serve as role models in obeying the law and in keeping peace and order.

Policemen caught firing their guns will be charged with alarm and scandal, Marquez said.

The policemen would face administrative complaint for grave misconduct, which may result in dismissal from the service.

“Police station commanders should remind their men not to discharge their firearms during the New Year revelry,” Marquez said.

Last year, eight people were arrested for firing their guns indiscriminately during the Christmas and New Year revelries. The figure was higher compared to only five cases of indiscriminate firing recorded in 2013.

The PNP has so far recorded two victims of stray bullets in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga City.

Meanwhile, a drunk police officer was arrested for indiscriminately firing his gun in front of a bar in Malate, Manila Tuesday morning.

Police Officer 1 Francis Flake of the Regional Holding Administrative Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig will be slapped with administrative charges, Manila Police District Station 9 commander Superintendent Aldrin Gran said.

Gran said Flake was nabbed after bystanders identified him as the one who fired shots in front of a bar along M.H. Del Pilar street in Malate at around 5 a.m.

Police recovered from Flake his 9mm Glock pistol.

Flake, who was drunk at the time he was arrested, said he had an altercation with a group of men inside the bar. – With Rey Galupo