2 junior cops ordered dismissed for indiscriminate shooting on Christmas Day

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police chief Nicanor Bartolome has ordered the dismissal and filing of administrative and criminal charges against at least two policemen who figured in separate indiscriminate shooting incidents on Christmas Day, the Philippine National Police spokesman said Monday.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. identified the two erring cops as Police Officers 1 Lloyd Fernandez, 30, and Fulgencio Sedeco. No details on the incidents were given.

“Gaya ng utos ng ating chief PNP para sa lahat ng mga lumabag sa pagpaputok ng kanilang baril at nambiktima gamit ang kanilang government-issued service firearm, sila po ay dapat alisin kaagad the soonest possible time sa serbisyo at sampahan ng kasong criminal (As our PNP chief has ordered, all those who fired their guns and victimized people using their government-issued service firearms should be terminated from the service at the soonest time possible and have criminal cases filed against them),” Cruz said.

Cruz also reminded all 140,000 police officers around the country that all service firearms, as well as privately owned guns, are not allowed to be fired in celebrating the New Year.

All violators, Cruz Jr. said, will face the appropriate charges.

Cruz Jr. said that the traditional sealing of gun nozzles to prevengt indiscriminate firing during New Year will be conducted on Tuesday at 7 a.m.

He asked the public to report firing incidents to the nearest police station in their area or by dialing 117.