ARMM police chief vows firing cops violating gun ban

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Chief Supt. Noel Delos Reyes of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police warned on Monday to discharge from the service any subordinate caught firing gun during the Christmas and New Year’s Day revelries.

“I will work out the dishonorable termination of any member of the ARMM police force found violating that policy,” Delos Reyes said.

Delos Reyes urged ARMM residents to immediately report to his office any infraction by policemen in any of the region’s more than 100 towns of the Philippine National Police’s ban on use of guns for traditional merrymakings.

Delos Reyes said they enlisted the help of local executives and religious leaders in enforcing the rule.

“While our policemen are disciplined and are behaving according to our code of conduct, we have to warn them still,” Delos Reyes said.

Policemen in the ARMM's territory, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, will be in full alert during the Christmas and New Year’s Day, Delos Reyes said.

Policemen assigned in the regional police office at Camp S.K. Pendatun in Parang town in Maguindanao, and in the provincial and municipal headquarters will not be allowed to avail of vacation or leave passes during the holidays.

Catholic station dxMS in Cotabato City, also known as “peace radio,” has been airing appeals for more than a week now to policemen and members of military units not to use guns during the holiday revelries.

Station dxMS, one of five radio outfits in Central Mindanao of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation, has also been warning against use of powerful firecrackers and pyrotechnics that are fire hazards.