MANILA, Philippines — Police officers do not have to tape their guns for the New Year, an official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Saturday.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Acting Regional Director PBGen. Anthony Aberin said that the members of the NCRPO are professional and responsible enough to know the consequences of their actions.
READ: PNP to officers: Stay prepared for New Year emergencies
“My initial pronouncement was that we would put tape, but I have seen the records from the past eight years, and the PNP has not been using tape. I have full trust and confidence,” said Aberin in a mix of Filipino and English in an interview with Teleradyo 630.
“Naniniwala po ako na sa ngayon ay hindi na yata ng kailangan ng pagtape ng baril, bagkus, alam po natin na responsable ang members ng NCRPO,” Aberin added.
(I believe that, for now, there is no need to tape the guns. Instead, we know that the members of the NCRPO are responsible.)
The acting director said that cops who fire their guns during New Year celebrations may face criminal and administrative charges and dismissal from their posts.
Meanwhile, Aberin mentioned a report of two cases of stray bullets, one from Sta. Mesa in Manila and the other from Parañaque City on Christmas Day.
The case from Sta. Mesa, Manila involved a fight where a gun was fired, while the incident in Parañaque is still under investigation.
He also shared that the security check for the incoming New Year was in place.
READ: PNP increases police presence for Christmas, New Year holidays
“Tuloy tuloy ang NCRPO para ilatag ang security coverage po para sa New Year at andun pa rin ang deployment ng mahigit 10,000 pulis na nakadeploy sa places of convergence natin kagaya ng terminal, mga malls, simbahan at marami pang iba,” he noted.
(The NCRPO continues to lay out security coverage for the New Year, with over 10,000 police officers deployed to our places of convergence, such as terminals, malls, churches, and many others.)