PNP to intensify campaign vs. loose firearms amid increase in stray bullet cases

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday vowed to intensify its campaign against loose firearms, which it said are commonly used by suspects in indiscriminate firing, in response to an increase in the number of people hit by stray bullets during the holidays.

 

“Tuloy-tuloy po at paiigtingin pa natin ang kampanya ng Philippine National Police para naman mabawasan ang pag-proliferate ng loose firearms dahil sa tingin po natin ay ito ang cause ng mga stray bullet na ito na naka-sugat, naka-aksidente at worst nga po ay nakapatay ng isang taga-Abra ngayong New Year,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said in a phone patch interview on GMA News TV's “Quick Response Team (QRT)”.


 

Mayor said that as early as December 1 of 2014, the PNP in coordination with local government units has already started its campaign against indiscriminate firing. Despite this, the PNP has recorded a total of 45 cases against 22 cases recorded on the same day last year.

 

Mayor pointed out that unlicensed firearms are hard to trace by authorities, thus it is commonly used by suspects of illegal activities including indiscriminate firing.

 

Early Thursday morning, 11-year-old Jercy Decym Buenafe Tabaday of Abra Province was hit in the head by a stray bullet. She expired at Abra Provincial Hospital in Bangued while doctors were trying to save her.

PNP records also showed that 30 people were injured from indiscriminate firing during the New Year revelry, among them were 13-year-old Maybelle Lou Juanitas of Barangay San Jose, Quezon City, a 12-year-old girl in Lipa City, Batangas, and a 41-year-old woman in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

 

The PNP also recorded 18 cases of illegal discharge of firearms.

 

Mayor said the PNP is now studying its geographical information system to deternmine the areas where most of the stray bullet incidents occurred so they can be considered hotspots and be given priority in coming years.

 

“Meron tayong tinatawag na geographical information system na kung saan makikita natin doon yung crime incident at maconsider natin na crime prone area yung particular area,” Mayor said.

 

Meanwhile, Mayor called on those who may have knowledge on people who fired their guns during the New Year revelry.

 

“Kami po sa PNP ay umaapela sa mga taong nakakita kung sino man po ang gumawa ng krimen na ito. Kung sila po ay nag aatubili na 'wag magpakita, naiintindihan naman po namin ang kanilang seguridad, ay pwede po silang makipagugnayan samin through 09178475757 or sa mga station commanders natin para naman po matulungan natin ang pamilya ng mga nasugatan o nasawi, dahil ito po ay hindi na dapat mangyari pa sa mga susunod na araw at taon,” Mayor said.

On December 31, 2012, seven-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella was killed by a stray bullet outside her home in Caloocan City while watching fireworks during the revelry. She died in a Quezon City hospital on Jan. 2, 2013. — Elizabeth Marcelo/JDS, GMA News