Cops’ guns sealed to prevent holiday firing, needless deaths

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday ordered to sealing with masking tape of the muzzles of the service firearms of its 150,000 policemen to prevent any indiscriminate firing during the holidays.

Policemen were warned they would be severely sanctioned if they fire their guns during the holiday revelry, particularly on New Year’s Eve, which claimed several lives in past years.

“The taping of our guns’ muzzles is part of the PNP’s move to be gun-free, particularly indiscriminate firing, among policemen,” said Chief Supt. Albert Supapo of the Headquarters Support Service.

More than 1,500 policemen at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, took part in the sealing of their service firearms on Monday morning. The sealing was also held in all police offices nationwide.

The taping of the guns’ muzzles coincided with the raising of the PNP’s level to heightened alert, as ordered by PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

Heightened alert means that all leaves of policemen are canceled. This will be in effect until after the holidays, or until Jan. 3.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said regional directors may choose to upgrade the alert to full alert depending on the situation in their respective areas.

Aside from the sealing of gun muzzles, the PNP has teamed up with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in conducting patrols to arrest those caught firing their guns.

Espina said the joint patrols would apprehend uniformed personnel and civilians indiscriminately firing their guns.

“The PNP is coordinating with the AFP, other law enforcement agencies and local government units in conducting intensified intelligence efforts to identify possible violators,” he said.

Supapo said the PNP was aiming for a gun-free holiday celebration this year.

“The PNP will sanction its personnel who are found to have fired their firearms during the holidays,” the official said, citing past incidents of victims being hit by stray bullets.

Mayor said the tapes, signed by the commanding officer, will be removed a day after the New Year.

However, policemen on duty may remove the tape on the muzzles in special circumstances related to their duties as policemen, as long as they could justify it.

A police official, however, is calling for a review of the PNP policy on muzzle taping, saying the practice puts them at a disadvantage and takes away their “opportunity to be trusted.”

Eastern Police District (EPD) Chief Supt. Abelardo Villacorta on Monday said he feared for the life of those on patrol during the holidays because they could become vulnerable to attacks.

“What if a crime erupts and the responding police officer’s gun is taped? He might be dead even before he gets the chance to cock his gun,” Villacorta said. With a report from Jovic Yee