Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa is targetting zero casualty during the New Year revelry.
He is particularly issuing warnings against the illegal discharge of firearms or indiscriminate firing.
In a press conference on Tuesday morning at the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Dela Rosa told the police to even take the risk of breaking into houses, if they hear that guns were fired from inside.
“I-break in ninyo (break into houses),” Dela Rosa ordered as he told the police what to do if residents refuse to let them in.
“Katukin muna, tell them na huhulihin ang nagpaputok. Pag ayaw, i-break in. Jump over the fence (knock on the door, tell them you will arrest the person who fired the gun, If they refuse, break in),” Dela Rosa instructed.
He also reminded the police to bring patrol cars to properly identify themselves.
He said, this action follows the rules of a hot pursuit police operation.
Two policemen were charged for commiting indiscriminate firing last year.
Dela Rosa warned, cops who will engage in this activity will be harshly punished.
“Wala akong patawad sa mga mahuhuli, lalong lalo na kung kayo ay pulis (I have no mercy on those who will be caught, especially if you are a policeman),” he said.
Dela Rosa also told law enforcers to come out in the streets from 5 pm of December 31, 2016 until 5 am of January 1, 2017.
If they are on vacation and are away from their base, they must report in uniform to the nearest police precinct in the area.
Dela Rosa said, the campaign against indiscriminate firing will center in Metro Manila.
“Ang pinaka-hot spot ay National Capital Region (the top hot spot is NCR),” he explained.
Dela Rosa will not order the putting of tapes around the muzzle of police firearms.
He explained, “para bang wala kang tiwala sa mga pulis mo (it seems that you don’t trust your police).”
He also said, he is against this move since cops might need to fire their guns as they respond to crime scenes and he does not want the firearms to jam and malfunction.
