PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. (Photo from the PNP Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said three incidents of illegal discharge of firearm during the New Year’s festivities were recorded from Dec. 31, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2023.
Col. Rederico Maranan, Public Information Office chief of the PNP, said the cases were reported and recorded in Iloilo, Quezon City and the City of Manila.
Authorities have arrested all the offenders, he added.
“Dito sa tatlong naitala nating insidente simula noong Dec. 31, 2022 hanggang Jan. 1, 2023 ay walang PNP member [at] walang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) member na nagpaputok ng baril,” Maranan said in a Laging Handa public briefing.
(Among the three incidents recorded from Dec. 31, 2022 until Jan. 1, 2023, no PNP and AFP member was involved.)
It was earlier reported, however, that on New Year’s Eve, a drunk 30-year-old PNP Special Action Force member – 145th Special Action Company–Patrolman Loreto Abrio–was arrested after allegedly firing his gun indiscriminately in front of a videoke bar in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.
Maranan also said that the PNP has so far recorded two stray bullet incidents for the same period.
“Nagtamo ito ng minor injuries. Nahuli rin naman iyong gumawa nito (The victims sustained minor injuries, while the culprits have been arrested),” he said.
Maranan further noted that authorities had arrested 42 persons for using or selling illegal firecrackers.
He added that the PNP has also confiscated prohibited firecrackers worth an estimated P2.4 million.
Maranan said the national police force will remain on full alert as it continues to monitor post-New Year’s Day crimes until Jan. 6.