More illegal gun firing cases in New Year 2025; total now at 27

Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) logged nine more cases of indiscriminate discharge of firearms during the New Year 2025 celebrations, bringing the total to 27 so far, it announced Wednesday.

The police previously tallied 18 incidents on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

“If we compare the data on indiscriminate discharge of firearms and stray bullet cases last year, our cases of indiscriminate discharge of firearms are higher now,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo told reporters in Filipino.

“Last year, we recorded 20. Meanwhile, this year, we recorded 27. However, the number of injuries decreased. From seven, only four have been injured as a result of the indiscriminate discharge of firearms,” she added.

Calabarzon (Region 4A) saw the most cases with nine incidents of illegal gun discharge, according to data from Fajardo. Seven of these cases involved civilians, while one involved a security guard and another involved one PNP personnel.

The PNP earlier reminded officers not to use their service firearms for any celebration.

Following is the breakdown per location of the number of indiscriminate firing cases — all involving civilians:

• Metro Manila (National Capital Region): 3
• Western Visayas (Region 6): 3
• Northern Mindanao (Region 10): 2
• Central Luzon (Region 3): 1
• Central Visayas (Region 7): 1
• Eastern Visayas (Region 8): 1

Meanwhile, one case in Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) involved a Bureau of Corrections personnel, Fajardo noted.

Additionally, of the 27 cases, police recovered or confiscated firearms in 17 of these.

On the other hand, PNP’s tally of stray bullet incidents rose from four to six over New Year’s Eve:

• Metro Manila: 4
• Central Luzon: 1
• Zamboanga Peninsula: 1

“When it comes to stray bullets, there were 13 cases reported to us last year. Meanwhile, as of 6 a.m. on January 1, we recorded six stray bullet cases,” Fajardo said.

In these cases, three individuals were reported to be injured, all of whom were already brought to hospitals for treatment, according to Fajardo.

READ: PNP units told: Ensure public safety as nation welcomes New Year 2025

She added that slugs found at the scenes of stray bullet cases were turned over to their respective Forensic Group field units for cross-matching.

The PNP spokesperson said the PNP was still expecting late reports since some cases were referred directly to hospitals and have yet to be reported to the police.

The Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 11926, prescribes “arresto mayor in its maximum period” — that is, six months — for indiscriminate discharge of firearms.