MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has decided to forgo again the traditional taping of gun muzzles of PNP officers during the Christmas and New Year revelries.
There was a significant decrease in cases of indiscriminate firing committed by policemen last year, Dela Rosa said.
“The result was positive when we stopped the ritual sealing of gun muzzles in 2016,” he said.
Dela Rosa said not a single police officer was charged for indiscriminate firing last year.
The PNP chief believes there is no need to implement such a policy to show to the public that the police force is more disciplined under his leadership.
“Cases of indiscriminate firing and gun-related deaths and injuries went down last year. So I don’t think we need to seal the gun muzzles,” Dela Rosa said.
In the past years, the PNP ordered the taping of gun muzzles to prevent police officers from firing their guns indiscriminately during the holidays.
One-strike policy
Dela Rosa warned police station commanders that they would be relieved if cases of indiscriminate firing occur in their jurisdiction.
He said a one-strike policy would be implemented against chiefs of police if they fail to solve cases of deaths and injuries caused by stray bullets within 24 hours.
“My directive is clear. There should be no stray bullet incidents in their turf, otherwise I will relieve the concerned police chief,” Dela Rosa said.
In December 2013, seven-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella died after being hit by a stray bullet while watching fireworks outside her house in Caloocan City.
The case remains unsolved as police have yet to identify and prosecute Ella’s killer.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde warned chiefs of police they would be relieved if they fail to solve stray bullet cases in their jurisdiction.
Albayalde ordered chiefs of police in Metro Manila to coordinate with barangay officials in conducting information campaigns against indiscriminate firing.
He reminded NCRPO personnel not to fire their guns indiscriminately during the holidays or they would face administrative sanctions.
Albayalde also urged the public to report to police incidents of indiscriminate firing.
Last year, four stray bullet cases were recorded in Metro Manila with one death.
– With Non Alquitran