Bacalzo warns cops vs indiscriminate firing

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo warned police officers all over the country to refrain indiscriminate firing during the holidays or face immediate dismissal from the service.

“That’s (indiscriminate firing) a dismissable offense, that’s grave misconduct,” Bacalzo said during the Talakayan sa Isyu ng Pulis (TSIP), a weekly forum sponsored by the PNP.

Bacalzo said any police officer who would be found to have fired their guns will also be charged criminally, aside from being dismissed from service.

Last Jan. 1, police records show that four civilians, including a security guard, were arrested for alleged illegal discharge of firearms.

Bacalzo said the PNP will request the Department of Health to submit to the PNP all recovered evidence such as shells and bullets to identify the suspects involved and support the filing of criminal charges in court.