PNP wants law on indiscriminate firing amended

MANILA, Philippines - With several cases of stray bullets during the New Year revelry, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is pushing for the amendment of the law on illegal discharge of firearms.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor yesterday said there is an apparent need to review and revise some provisions in the Revised Penal Code, which classifies the illegal discharge of firearms as a less serious crime.

“There is a need to change or amend the provision. The Department of Justice is studying amendments to the Revised Penal Code, which dates back to 1930,” Mayor said.

The PNP spokesman issued the statement following reports about eight men from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur having fun while indiscriminately firing their guns during the New Year celebrations.

The photos and videos were uploaded on the popular network Facebook and went viral on the Internet.

One of the photos showed one of the men posing while holding a red plastic dipper containing empty shells for an M-16 rifle.

Mayor said investigators are checking the identity of the suspects since there was information that some of them were minors.

The suspects have been charged with alarm and scandal.

Quoting the Revised Penal Code, Mayor said illegal discharge of firearms is an offense punishable with P200 fine or arresto menor, or one day to a month’s imprisonment.

With the series of cases of indiscriminate firing, Mayor said the PNP might push a proposal separating the provisions on illegal discharge of firearms from the existing law, considering the possible effect on the lives of the victims of stray bullets.

Meanwhile, the police force of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur was slammed by their provincial director for the absence of a report on the shooting frenzy in Barangay San Antonio during the New Year revelry.

Police Director Senior Superintendent Nestor Felix said he was disgusted that it took social media to bring the case of indiscriminate firing to the attention of the public.

In Tuguegarao City, the father of 11-year-old Jercy Buenafe Tabaday is willing to forgive the culprit in the stray bullet shooting during the New Year celebration that claimed his daughter’s life.

Efren Tabaday told The STAR yesterday that he is aware that the gunman had no intentions of killing his daughter so he is willing to settle the case amicably. – With Raymund Catindig