Lim warns cops vs firing guns on NY eve

"Fire your guns, get fired."

Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim warned policemen, firemen, and jail guards that they would be dismissed from the service if they fire their guns to welcome the New Year.

"The worst thing to see as people greet the coming of the New Year is the sight of an innocent person, especially a child, being injured or killed from stray bullets caused by the illegal discharge of firearms by unscrupulous individuals, particularly policemen," Lim said yesterday.

Lim asked citizens to immediately report to police authorities people in their neighborhood who fire their guns on New Year’s Eve.

Lim told Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) director Chief Superintendent Francisco Senot, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology director Aquilino Jacob to inform their men of his order banning the firing of guns as part of New Year celebrations.

Lim ordered governors, mayors, and other local government officials to help police in implementing preventive measures against the indiscriminate firing of guns.

Lim said the BFP must be placed on red alert on New Year’s Eve as a countermeasure against fires, especially in Metro Manila. –Cecille Suerte Felipe