PNP chief leads ceremonial muzzling of police firearms ahead of New Year revelry

MANILA, Philippines — A day after two erring policemen were charged with indiscriminate firing of their guns amid Christmas celebrations, the Philippine National Police muzzled service firearms ahead of the New Year revelry.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome led his men in the ceremonial sealing of the barrrels on their guns, issuing a warning of possible dismissal from service for those who will violate his directive.

He hoped that the sealed firearms would be “a constant reminder to police officers that they should not illegally fire their guns during the New Year,” adding that he has tasked the unit leaders to inspect by the end of the celebration whether the directive was followed by their men.

“Unit leaders will sign the seals on the firearms to ensure that none of their men can get away with indiscriminate firing,” the PNP chief said.

He also warned police against drinking liquor while on duty, adding that it was important for lawmen to never be involved in illegal acts.

Police officers can always turn to alternative sources of noise to greet the New Year with, said Bartolome, giving “trumpeta, torotot, at batya” as some examples.

Asked about the fate of the three policemen involved in shooting incidents during Christmas, Bartolome stressed “I want them dismissed immediately from service.”

Bartolome however added that the occurrence of such incidents involving police officers were rare, saying that their ranks usually followed the yearly directive against indiscriminate firing of guns during the holidays.