ILOILO City – Policemen are responsible gun handlers so there is no need to tape the muzzles of their service firearms for this New Year’s celebrations, according to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
For years, the Philippine National Police (PNP) required the nationwide sealing of its men’s guns with packaging tape to prevent indiscriminate firing during holiday revelries. This practice was not observed in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
This break from tradition would continue this year, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson.
But Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police director, has a warning to cops: “Fire your gun and you will be dismissed from the service.”
“Alam na nila ito. Kung sino mag-violate, sisibakin ko kasi ang directive ay galing talaga kay President Rodrigo Duterte,” said Pamuspusan.
PRO-6’s goal is to achieve zero stray bullet incidents, zero indiscriminate firing cases and zero major crimes.
Pamuspusan also said policemen should not drink liquor when on duty and on full alert status.
“Napakalinaw ng directives. Ayaw ko nang ulitin,” Pamuspusan said.
For the past three years that no muzzle taping was done, no policeman was complained for illegally discharging his firearm, said Malong, proving that cops are disciplined gun holders.
But just the same, she reminded policemen not to illegally discharge their guns to welcome the New Year.
“I know civilian gun owners in Western Visayas are responsible enough so we look forward to achieving zero victims of stray bullets and no big crimes,” said Pamuspusan.
During last year’s New Year celebrations, no stray bullet cases were reported.
“In previous years, too, no police officer fired his gun indiscriminately during the holiday season. I think ang nagpaputok lang ang may mga loose firearms,” said Pamuspusan.
He added: “We have to show to the public that we are a responsible, professional, dynamic police organization. We have to maintain our reputation in terms of discipline and this is a test to all our personnel in the region.”
It was then PNP director general Ronald Dela Rosa (now senator) who ordered a stop to the muzzle taping in 2016. He said he wanted to show that members of the PNP have “a high level of discipline” when it comes to the proper use of their service firearms.
Dela Rosa also said the muzzle taping appeared to show that cops could not be trusted, and this did not sit well with him.
Last week, Pamuspusan did not hide his displeasure over a shooting incident in Guimaras on Christmas Day.
An inebriated policeman shot a colleague during a heated argument at the Guimaras Police Provincial Office (GPPO) in Barangay Alaguisoc, Jordan town.
The suspect was 33-year-old Police Corporal Erwin Ferrer of the Guimaras Provincial Mobile Force.
The wounded cop, 35-year-old Police Staff Sergeant Jeremy Minerva, was taken to the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao district here. He sustained a gunshot wound in the abdomen.
“Huwag nila akong subukan. Ipapasibak ko sila,” said Pamuspusan. “My instruction to all policemen across the region was clear. They should not drink liquor while on duty pero matitigas pa rin ang kanilang ulo.”
The shooting happened at around 4:05 a.m. at the GPPO mess hall.
Ferrer, a resident of Barangay Tastasan, Buenavista, Guimaras, and Minerva, a resident of Arevalo district, Iloilo City, had just returned to the GPPO from the field.
There was a heated argument between the two policemen, with Ferrer eventually drawing his gun, a Glock 17 pistol.
The duty guard, Police Corporal Francis Joe Sartaguda, tried to disarm Ferrer and Minerva tried to help Sartaguda.
The gun, unfortunately, went off, hitting Minerva.
An investigation is currently being conducted by the PRO-6’s Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS).
Ferrer is currently under restriction in the GPPO after he posted a bail bond of P72,000. Minerva charged him with frustrated homicide./PN
