Fire and get fired, cops told

Fire and get fired.

This was the warning issued by Interrior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina to trigger-happy members of the Philippine National Police who are thinking of firing their guns to greet the New Year.

"Let’s make no mistake about this. I have grown tired of hearing about policemen firing their guns indiscriminately to greet the New Year. Either they keep their fingers off the trigger or face dismissal from the service," Lina said.

He made a quick surprise visit to the Caloocan City police headquarters yesterday and issued the warning before officials of the Northern Police District Office (NPDO), emphasizing his support for the PNP’s "Operation: Silent Guns."

Present during Lina’s visit were former NPDO chief Senior Superintendent Vidal Querol, now PNP deputy for operations; Caloocan City police chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele, Malabon police chief Pete Ramos; and Station Intelligence and Investigation Division (SIID) chief Dionicio Borromeo.

Lina directly ordered NPDO chief Senior Superintendent Marcelino Franco, Jr. to require the local police in the CAMANAVA area to muzzle their service firearms with tape as a symbolic act that they will not be used in the New Year revelry.

Lina insisted that it would be a lot better if police will fire their guns in enforcing peace and order and against criminals during the celebrations rather than the police themselves breaking the law by firing them indiscriminately.

National Capital Regional Police Office (NCPRO) chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco said there were more casualties from stray bullets last year than from exploding firecrackers.

Citing as well the many complaints lodged against the police regarding stray bullet-related incidents, Lina also told the National Police Commission (Napolcom), which he heads, that he is after a "zero crime rate" during the forthcoming celebrations.