DEPUTY Director General Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police (PNP) officer in charge, on Monday warned policemen that they will face administrative sanctions if they were caught illegally firing firearms during the holiday season.
Espina issued the warning as he presided over the taping of the muzzles of gun of policemen at the PNP General Headquarters in Camp Crame, an event that was also simultaneously held in all police offices around the country.
“If the discharge of firearm is indiscriminate or illegal, that’s grave misconduct. Grave misconduct is punishable by maximum of dismissal from the service,” Espina said.
Espina said the sealed gun muzzles will remain secured until January 2 even as he disclosed that policemen are already on heightened alert under the force’s intensified anti-criminality campaign for Christmas and the New Year.
Espina also ordered police commanders to coordinate with local governments down to the barangay level in their areas and determine who among the residents in their areas have loose firearms. He issued the order as he noted that some of those who died last year amid the New Year revelry were killed by bullets coming from loose firearms that were fired by trigger-happy civilians.
“As much as possible, we have to know those who own loose firearms in these areas,” he said. Espina said the campaign against the illegal discharge of firearms does not only cover policemen and civilians, but even soldiers.
“Our policemen and soldiers, who are the primary enforcers of the law, must refrain from firing their guns and help prevent casualties and injuries during the revelry of the Yuletide season,” he said.