PNP seals guns of security guards

MANILA, Philippines - With the number of victims of stray bullets increasing, even the muzzles of the firearms of some security guards in Quezon City were sealed with masking tape to prevent them from firing indiscriminately during the New Year revelry.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded 12 victims of stray bullets in different parts of the country last Monday.

Officials of the PNP’s Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) held a ceremonial sealing of firearms in front of the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday morning.

Senior Superintendent Dominador Tubon, chief of the SOSIA Management Division, said that the PNP decided to seal not only the muzzle of the firearms of policemen but even security guards to boost their campaign against illegal discharge of weapons.

Tubon said that the SOSIA directed all operators, managers and officers of private security, police detective agency, company guard forces and government security units to seal the muzzles of their firearms.

The sealing of all firearms of security officers started Monday and would be removed on Thursday or Jan. 2, after the New Year revelry.

Tubon said SOSIA director Chief Superintendent Tomas Rentoy III issued the memorandum to all security agency operators in connection with the PNP’s simultaneous implementation of sealing of the muzzles of service firearms of policemen nationwide.

Rentoy said the directive was issued to private security and investigation and government security units to prevent the indiscriminate firing of guns in greeting the New Year.

He said that private and government security agencies and private investigating agencies are required to submit a compliance report and pictures to the SOSIA before Jan. 15.

Rentoy warned that a security agency or security personnel who fail to follow the directive will face appropriate charges or may be dismissed from the service.                                          The military yesterday warned soldiers against indiscriminate firing during the New Year revelry, saying violators may be jailed or dismissed from the service.

“We remind our soldiers to exercise utmost responsibility in handling their firearms,” Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

He said there is no need to muzzle soldiers’ firearms, noting that they are already aware of the policy against unauthorized use of weapons. The policy applies even to soldiers who are on vacation, he added.

Army spokesman Capt. Anthony Bacus said they would strictly implement the policy against indiscriminate firing.

“It is clear to every Army personnel that firing their weapons indiscriminately is punishable under the Articles of War,” Bacus said.

Bacus noted that illegal discharge of firearm might result in demotion or dismissal from the military service.

Bacus said all field commanders have been reminded to consistently monitor their subordinates to ensure that the policy is enforced.

Illegal discharge of firearm is also punishable under Article 254 of Republic Act 3815, or the Revised Penal Code. Under the law, violators will be slapped with a jail term from six months and one day to six years.

Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, spokesman for the PNP chief, said stray bullets have already victimized 12 persons from Dec. 16 to 30. The latest victim was identified as Joseph Lopez, 30, of Marikina City, who was hit in the upper portion of his right chest.    â€“ With Alexis Romero