PNP boosts action on random firing; one-strike rule up vs police commanders
PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JAM STA. ROSA
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is giving all precinct and station commanders 24 hours to take sufficient action to solve cases of indiscriminate firing or face consequences.
Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, PNP deputy chief for operations, warned in a press briefing Monday that they would implement a one-strike policy against police senior officers in all of its precincts and stations nationwide who will fail to take appropriate action to solve indiscriminate firing incidents in their respective areas.
This directive, Cascolan also said, likewise follows against those who will not set up measures to prevent possible attacks of the New People’s Army (NPA) this holiday season.
According to Cascolan, this order is in line with the PNP’s goal for zero incidents of random gun firing and stray bullet deaths and injuries. He said that during holiday revelries in 2018, PNP recorded 33 incidents of indiscriminate firing and 12 cases of injuries due to stray bullets.
Cascolan further warned police officers against indiscriminate use of their service firearms. He said disobedient policemen will face an administrative case of grave misconduct – an offense that could cause their dismissal from service, and even a criminal case that could range from homicide to frustrated homicide depending on the nature of the incident.
Amid this order, Cascolan said that the PNP has no plan to tape the muzzle of the service firearms of its personnel.
“We will not do that anymore because basically we will give our trust to our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cascolan said precinct and station commanders of erring policemen may face a case for command responsibility.
“That is if they did not do their part in deterring or preventing our people from firing their guns,” Cascolan said.
But he clarified that precinct and station commanders would not be relieved from their posts if they fail to arrest within 24 hours those involved in indiscriminate firing. He, however, said they might be dismissed from their posts if they fail to prevent an NPA attack, especially since the Communist Party of the Philippines is set to celebrate its 51st founding anniversary on December 26.
