Public urged to report shooters as injuries from stray bullets mount

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police urged the public on Monday to use social media and train the cameras of their smartphones on irresponsible gun owners to prevent indiscriminate firing during the New Year’s Eve revelry.

“They can use their mobile phones to take photographs and videos of erring gun owners. This can help us solve cases of indiscriminate firing,” said Senior Supt. Wilben Mayor, spokesman of PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima.

Mayor advised the public to upload the pictures and videos of trigger-happy individuals on social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook.

“The photos and videos can be presented as evidence against the violators. The cooperation of the people is really very important in stopping the incidence of indiscriminate firing,” he said.

He said concerned citizens may report individuals who fire their guns during the New Year’s Eve celebration through PNP Hotline 117 and police mobile phone number 0917-8475757.

Since Dec. 16, police said 12 individuals have been reported hit by stray bullets in different parts of the country, most of them in Metro Manila.

The latest victim was Joseph Lopez, 30, a resident of Marikina City, who narrowly escaped death after he was hit by a stray bullet on the chest.

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP public information office chief, said at least 40 persons were reported injured by firecrackers.

Sindac said, however, that the actual number of firecracker-related injuries reported by the Department of Health may be higher as the PNP’s record was based only on police blotter reports.

Mayor said 20 persons had been arrested due to unauthorized discharge of firearms and for selling illegal firecrackers.

He said at least P760,000 worth of illegal firecrackers had been seized in various police operations.

Sindac said Purisima had ordered regional police directors to tape the muzzle of the service firearms of policemen in their respective areas as part of the PNP’s campaign against indiscriminate firing.

“But this does not mean policemen are barred from using their firearms. If they fired their guns, they should make sure that they did it in performing their duties as law enforcers,” he said.

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Report cases of indiscriminate firing, public urged