PNP logs 15 indiscriminate firing incidents ahead of New Year 2025

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded 15 cases of indiscriminate discharge of firearms ahead of the New Year 2025 festivities.

As of 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 29, the PNP said that four individuals were injured due to indiscriminate firing and another one was wounded due to a stray bullet.

Six cases of indiscriminate firing were reported in Calabarzon, followed by four in NCR, and two in Central Visayas.

One incident was logged each in Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region.

The PNP said that 10 individuals were arrested following the incidents—seven of them were civilians, one was a police officer, one was a security guard, and the other one was a personnel of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Nine firearms were also confiscated so far.

The PNP said Sunday its units nationwide are on heightened alert for the New Year to ensure public safety, especially for travelers, and response to emergencies.

Meanwhile PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo on Saturday also said they have repeatedly reminded cops to use their firearms for official missions only.

"Matagal na nating hindi pina-practice 'yan na tine-tape [ang dulo] ng mga baril [para sa Bagong Taon] dahil naniniwala tayong disiplinado ang ating mga pulis," she said.

(It has been a long time since we observed that practice of putting tape on firearms [for the New Year], because we believe our policemen are disciplined.)

"Patuloy natin silang pinaaalalahanan na dapat ay hindi nila ginagamit sa anumang klaseng pagputok ng kanilang mga baril. Dapat ginagamit 'yan sa official [mission] lang," Fajardo said.

(We continue to remind them that their firearms are to be used for official purposes only.)

"At alam nila na mabigat ang kanilang kakaharapin nilang kaso na pwede nilang ika-dismiss sa serbisyo," she added.

(And they know they will face a serious case which may lead to their dismissal from service [should they be caught doing indiscriminate firing].) —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News