NCRPO aims for zero indiscriminate firing incidents

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is pushing for zero incidents of indiscriminate firing among police officers during the coming New Year revelry, an official said yesterday.

Spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said NCRPO chief Director Nicanor Bartolome “was busy making the rounds of police stations in the metropolis to see to it that the taping of muzzles of firearms of policemen are religiously carried out.”

The NCRPO recorded at least three incidents of indiscriminate firing involving policemen during the 2010 New Year revelry, Carlos said. He added that the three policemen involved in the incidents are undergoing dismissal proceedings.

Carlos warned that police officers caught firing their guns indiscriminately during the New Year revelry would automatically be relieved from their posts, disarmed and charged administratively. If somebody is hurt because of the incident, the policeman concerned would face additional criminal sanctions.

Carlos said police officers could use their firearms only when they are responding to a call for help by victims of crime or while in the line of duty.

The seals on the firearms will be removed by Jan. 3, 2011.

Meanwhile, to help the Department of Health reduce the number of firecracker casualties during the New Year revelry, Bartolome directed his five police district directors and 37 station commanders to coordinate with their respective local government units to set up firecracker zones.

The NCRPO director will inspect the designated firecracker zones, which should be in a secluded area, today.

Earlier, Bartolome barred Metro Manila police officers from playing with firecrackers to set an example among Metro Manilans not to use illegal firecrackers to welcome the New Year.


Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=643194&publicationSubCategoryId=65