3 cops arrested for indiscriminate firing

MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday warned soldiers against indiscriminate firing during New Year’s Eve, while three policemen were arrested for indiscriminate firing despite the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s stern warning against it.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc noted that shooting guns in the air and setting off huge and illegal firecrackers could place innocent people at great risk.

A falling bullet can reach the speed of 300 to 700 feet per second and it only takes a bullet speed of 200 feet per second to penetrate a human skull.

“We have given our soldiers and units stern warning that indiscriminate firing is punishable under the Articles of War and may result to demotion or dismissal from military service,” Cabunoc said in a statement.

“Any military personnel who will be caught discharging a firearm must be reported to the police or to the nearest military commander,” he added.

Cabunoc said there were no recorded incidents of celebratory gunfire involving soldiers as of yesterday.

But three policemen were arrested for indiscriminate firing. Two of the erring cops were assigned in the National Capital Region (NCR) while the other was from Southern Tagalog, a report from the PNP National Operations Center showed.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said the identities of and details about the policemen are not yet available, but he assured the public that the PNP leadership has started taking action against them.

He warned that other policemen who violate the policy would also face sanctions.

The symbolic sealing of service firearms held last week was a measure to warn policemen against indiscriminate firing to prevent injuries during the holidays.

A businessman was also detained for indiscriminate firing during a Christmas party in General Luna, Quezon. 

Police identified the suspect as Estelito Villena Hernandez, 38, of Bacong Ilaya in Barangay San Isidro Ilaya, who allegedly fired his cal. 45 pistol last Dec. 28.

Investigators said concerned residents called the police and responding policemen arrested Hernandez. The suspect is now detained at the General Luna jail and will face criminal charges.

Investigation disclosed that Hernandez’s cal.45 pistol is licensed under his name and is covered by a permit to carry firearm outside residence.

The PNP also arrested 15 persons for illegal sale of firecrackers and padlocked two stores of firecrackers and placed under custodial investigation nine persons, mostly teenagers, for several violations of the pyrotechnics law during an inspection last Monday.  – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Michelle Zoleta