Two days before Jan. 1, Metro Manila’s law enforcers have taped shut the muzzles of their service firearms to ensure that none of them would be involved in indiscriminate firing during the New Year celebration.
In a ceremony held at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig Saturday morning, National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina made sure that his men had secured their firearms after which he signed the tapes they had placed on the muzzle of their guns.
Simultaneous ceremonies were also held in the five Metro police districts.
After New Year’s Day, another inspection will be conducted to determine if the signed seals have been broken or tampered with, a sign that the guns had been used.
Earlier, Espina reminded the police district directors under his command that any policemen who would fire his gun during the New Year’s revelry would face administrative and criminal charges.
“Arrest all who will indiscriminately fire their guns,” he ordered in a text message to the directors of the Quezon City, Manila, Southern, Northern and Eastern Police Districts.
Espina, however, said that policemen could still use their firearms for legitimate operations.
The Metro Manila police chief issued the reminder after a series of indiscriminate firing incidents during the Christmas season, but mostly involving armed civilians.