Bato to cops: Gunshots? Break into houses

Drive vs celebratory gunfire: PNP to be unforgiving

MANILA, Philippines – If gunshots are heard, break into the house.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa gave this order yesterday to police officers in what he said was a campaign to prevent deaths and injuries from indiscriminate firing of guns during the New Year revelry.

Dela Rosa issued the order amid a PNP goal of attaining zero casualty from stray bullets during the New Year celebration.

“Knock on the door. Tell them you are going to arrest the person who fired the gun. If they refuse, break in,” Dela Rosa said during a press briefing at Camp Crame. “Get inside immediately. Don’t give these people a chance to hide their guns. If you can’t destroy the gate, jump over the fence so you can capture the person who fired the gun.”

Dela Rosa reminded his men to be in proper uniform and always introduce themselves as law enforcers.

He shrugged off concerns that this kind of action could result in the filing of charges against the officers for violating human rights.

He said he is not worried for as long as the PNP is performing its duty in protecting the citizens and that he will invoke the doctrine of hot pursuit.

“We expect harassment cases and counter-charges. In our judicial system, cases can be filed against us and we can defend ourselves,” he said.

Dela Rosa ordered police officers to intensify patrol from 5 p.m. of Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. of Jan. 1, and put special focus on Metro Manila and other areas with history of indiscriminate firing and stray bullets.

He appealed to gun owners and members of the PNP to be responsible and avoid reckless use of firearms.

“Please have pity on people who will be hit by the bullets that you fired,” he said.

The PNP said three persons were hit by stray bullets during the Christmas holiday.

Two of the victims were listed in Cebu and the other in General Santos City.

Authorities arrested five men in connection with the illegal discharge of firearms and indiscriminate firing incidents that occurred from Dec. 18 to 24.

The suspects were identified as Wilfredo Bunagan of Kalinga, Carlo Jayson of Cebu, Mariano Jimenez of Pangasinan, Elmo Refuerso of Ilocos Sur and Dominador Tugarino of Pangasinan.