PNP logs 15 cases of indiscriminate firing

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded 15 incidents of indiscriminate discharge of firearms nationwide ahead of the New Year revelry.

PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said four stray bullet cases were also recorded as part of security monitoring during the holiday season.

Police have arrested 10 people in connection with the indiscriminate firing cases and nine firearms have been seized.

Fajardo said among those apprehended are a security guard, an employee of the Bureau of Corrections and a police officer. The rest are civilians.

The PNP has filed complaints for illegal discharge of firearms against the suspects.

The indiscriminate firing and stray bullet incidents occurred across the country, with six cases reported in Calabarzon, four in Metro Manila, two in Central Visayas and one each in Zamboanga peninsula, Davao Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Fajardo said four people sustained injuries from these incidents, all of whom are now in stable condition.

A policeman in Calabarzon was arrested for allegedly firing his gun during a misunderstanding.

The policeman reportedly fired his gun into the ground, prompting immediate action from his colleagues.

The PNP also recorded four stray bullet cases, three of which occurred in Metro Manila and one in Zamboanga del Sur.

A member of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit was injured when a bullet penetrated the roof of his house in Barangay Sugod, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.

The slug has been submitted to the PNP’s forensic group for ballistics to determine what firearm was used.

“No suspects have been identified in the stray bullet cases, but we are conducting investigation and matching the recovered slugs with registered firearms,” Fajardo said.

She said police and military personnel involved in indiscriminate firing may face stiffer sanctions, including dismissal from the service.

Firecracker injuries

Meanwhile, the PNP has recorded 132 injuries due to firecrackers since Dec. 16, with most cases involving children injured by improvised devices such as boga.

Fajardo urged parents to supervise their children and prevent them from using firecrackers.

In its campaign against illegal firecrackers, police conducted 542 operations, which led to the arrest of 30 people.

Online sellers of illegal firecrackers are also being monitored by the police Anti-Cybercrime Group.

More than 35,000 PNP personnel, augmented by force multipliers and other law enforcement agencies, have been deployed nationwide to ensure public safety during the holiday season.

Fajardo urged firearm holders not to fire their guns during the New Year revelry.

“Any unauthorized discharge of firearms, whether directed at people or into the air, is punishable by law,” she said.

The PNP has not monitored any serious threats to public safety and is maintaining heightened security measures to ensure a peaceful and safe New Year celebration.