PNP admits efforts not enough as New Year stray bullet cases rise

With the number of victims being hit by stray bullets during the New Year revelry on the rise, the Philippine National Police (PNP) admits that its efforts to stop the practice of indiscriminate firing have not been enough.

 

"Katakot-takot na warnings na binigay natin, sobra nang operations ang pinagawa natin sa mga pulis natin, and still ganito pa rin. There is something wrong. Ano ba ito? Kulang sa implementation or bibigyan mo pa ng mas maraming effort, etc," said Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, the PNP's officer in charge.

 

 

In a report on "24 Oras" on Friday, the PNP said it has tallied 45 stray bullet incidents this year, up from 30 last year. This does not yet include some cases that have been already been reported by media.

 

In Tabaday town in Abra province, an 11-year-old girl was killed after she was hit by a stray bullet while she and her family were watching the festivities outside their house.

 

In Manila, a 28-year-old barangay tanod in Manila was also killed, with authorities probing into whether his death was caused by a stray bullet.

 

Espina said the PNP is reviewing its campaign against some 12,000 loose firearms, which may have contributed to the increase of stray bullet cases this year. 

 

Illegal discharge

 

The PNP also tallied an increase in cases of illegal discharge of firearms this year, totalling 18 during the countdown to 2015. In 2014, there were only 15 such cases.

 

Four of these cases involved police officers — PO2 Angel Ballicud and PO3 Bouchard Ramos of the National Capital Region Police Office, PO1 Christian Agbuya of Police Regional Office 4-A (Calabarzon), and PO1 Jhoy Velasco of Police Regional Office-11 (Davao Region) — who are in danger of dismissal.

 

"It's grave misconduct. Grave misconduct is punishable by dismissal in service. 'Yung na-dismiss ka sa police service, that's it for you," said Espina. 

 

Last month, police personnel had their firearm muzzles sealed with tape so they would not use their guns to welcome the new year.

 

Police are allowed to fire their weapons during the holidays only if using them in legitimate law-enforcement operations.

 

In Manila, at least three police personnel are in hot water after they were found to have fired their service firearms during the holidays, according to a report by dzBB's Carlo Mateo.

 

At Friday's inspection of firearms, the MPD found three 9-mm Beretta pistols with the seals broken.

 

The PNP, for its part, is also asking to have Article 155 of the Revised Penal Code amended to for stiffer penalties. The law currently prescribes a small fine of up to a P200 fine and up to 30 days jail time to "any person who within any town or public place, shall discharge any firearm, rocket, firecracker, or other explosives calculated to cause alarm or danger." — Trisha Macas/JST/JDS, GMA News