Cops in illegal gun discharge face ‘immediate dismissal’

MANILA, Philippines — Four more policemen were arrested for illegal discharge of firearms during the Yuletide season, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has warned that severe administrative sanctions would be imposed on police personnel who would illegally use their service firearms.

“That will mean immediate dismissal from the service,” Albayalde said.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said two of the police officers were caught illegally using their firearms in Metro Manila.

Another policeman was caught in the Ilocos region while the other violator was arrested in the Caraga region.

Durana has not released the names of the policemen and the other details including the dates and places where the incidents occurred.

As of yesterday, a total of seven policemen have been accosted, including two from Central Luzon and one in Metro Manila.

They are among the 19 people arrested so far for illegal discharge of firearms from Dec. 16 to 30.

The other violators are six civilians, two government officials, two security guards, a member of another law enforcement agency and a soldier.

Meanwhile, eight persons were arrested for illegal possession, use and sale of banned firecrackers during the same period.

Eight were caught in Ilocos, four in Central Luzon and one in Zamboanga peninsula.