Arroyo oversees taping of gun muzzles

BAGUIO CITY – President Arroyo witnessed here yesterday the ceremonial sealing with masking tape of the muzzles of weapons used by policemen, security guards and civilians to stop them from indiscriminately firing their firearms tomorrow, New Year’s Day.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao said Mrs. Arroyo was grateful for the support of members of gun clubs and the private sector in ensuring a peaceful welcome to 2006.

"We are very happy because we really cannot tell you what to do," the President told the members of a gun club after leading the Rizal Day rites here.

Lomibao said the sealing of the gun muzzles was meant to stress the seriousness of Mrs. Arroyo’s order to the police, military and local governments to ban indiscriminate and illegal firing of firearms during New Year celebrations.

Policemen caught firing their guns indiscriminately not only face administrative sanctions but criminal charges ass well, since their actions could result in accidents or deaths, he added

Lomibao said the government and the private sector have cooperated to prevent violence nationwide during the New Year celebrations.

"They are very cooperative as they realize the importance of this activity," he said. "Let us help each other so we can act on this accordingly."

Among the local groups which supported the ban are the Philippine Association of Detective and Private Agency Operators (PADPAO), gun clubs and the Practical Shooters Association (PSA) in the Cordillera Region.

Representatives of the groups led by Mrs. Zelma Lopez, West Point Gun Club of Baguio City president, said they have unanimously agreed to undertake three concrete measures in support of the ban.

These measures are the sealing of their guns in coordination with the Cordillera Regional Police Office; strict adherence to the Oplan: Iwas Paputok campaign; and helping to prevent the burning of tires on New Year’s Eve.

CAR police director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Dionisio said 13 private security groups in the region, represented by their general managers and operations managers, have similarly pledged their support for the ban.

Guards from private security agencies were among those whose guns were ceremonially sealed during the Rizal Day rites here today led by Mrs. Arroyo.

Lopez said to avoid accidents, gun owners wanting to fire their weapons could use the West Point Outdoor Shooting Range in Badiwan, Tuba, Benguet.

The indiscriminate discharge of firearms in previous New Year’s revelries has claimed numerous lives.

Bullets fired into the air travel at the same lethal velocity when they return to the ground as when they leave the gun muzzle.

Mrs. Arroyo, who is here on a working Christmas and New Year vacation, has directed the PNP, Armed Forces and local government units to crack down on indiscriminate firing of guns to avoid accidents and casualties.