WITH the tape wrapped around the muzzle gone, the firearm of a Quezon City policeman is once again ready to be used in the fight against criminality. JOAN BONDOC
Personnel of the National Capital Region Police Office in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, got the use of their firearms back Wednesday after they removed the masking tape they had placed over the muzzle.
The so-called “sealing ceremony” took place days before New Year’s Eve to ensure that none of them would be involved in cases of indiscriminate firing as they welcome the start of 2013.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) deputy director for administration Chief Supt. Sonny David presided over the activity during which none of the sealed muzzles showed signs of having been tampered with, signifying that none of their owners fired their guns.
The few policemen who took part in the unsealing ceremony were those who returned to regular duty yesterday. NCRPO spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said that those on leave would undergo the same ceremony on Jan. 7.
Meanwhile, members of the Southern Police District (SPD) also removed the tapes over the muzzles of their firearms at their headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. A similar ceremony was also held at the Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Muntinlupa and Pateros police stations.
“No broken seals were seen,” SPD director Chief Supt. Benito Estipona confirmed in a text message.
Earlier, NCRPO director Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina warned that policemen proven to have fired during guns during the holidays would face administrative and criminal charges.