The Philippine National Police on Friday issued a “one-strike policy” among chiefs of police in Metro Manila warning them that they would be automatically relieved from their respective posts should they fail to address indiscriminate firing of guns within 24 hours of the incident.
Senior Supt. Rudolph Dimas, chief of the PNP Public Safety Division of the Directorate for Operations, said the issuance of the “one-strike policy” to police chiefs in Metro Manila on indiscriminate firing is necessary to prevent any potential incidence of stray bullets during the Christmas holidays.
“The one-strike policy regarding death or injury due to indiscriminate firing will be implemented to commanders and chiefs of police. Henceforth, they will be relieved if the case is not solved within 24 hours,” Dimas said.
He added that the PNP had also sent memorandums to lower units directing, especially those who have recorded cases of indiscriminate firing in the past years, to conduct patrols in order to prevent such incidents from happening again.
The “one-strike policy” memorandum to all police chiefs strictly mandated them to arrest a suspect in the illegal discharge of firearm within 24 hours after the incident, otherwise the concerned police official who has jurisdiction over the area will be automatically relieved.
Last year, authorities recorded at least 22 incident of indiscriminate firing of guns covering the period of Dec. 16 to Jan. 4, 2017, which resulted in the death of at least one civilian.
The PNP hierarchy also ordered all COPs to closely monitor all previous sites of indiscriminate firing incidents to deter it from happening again.
Likewise, the PNP underscored the need to closely coordinate with barangay officials in monitoring residents especially those with undesirable records.
“We also need the officials of the barangays.They knew people in their localities and the bad guys that may probably do such act,” Dimas said.
At present, the PNP has not monitored any single stray bullet incidents across the country.
Dimas said the PNP will maximize the deployment of policemen in every police station to protect the safety of citizens against indiscriminate firing of guns.
The directive not only covers civilians but also members of the police force.
“Dapat magbantay sila properly doon para hindi na maulit at saka dapat maximum deployment yung mga tao sa istasyon para ma-contain talaga,” Dimas said.
He said from December 16, 2016 to January 4, 2017, a total of 22 stray bullet cases have been recorded with one death.
Dimas said police should coordinate with the barangay officials to avoid such incidents.
Dimas also directed all police personnel to report to their unit from 5 p.m., December 24 to 5 a.m., December 25 and 5 p.m., December 31 to 5 p.m., January 1.
Dimas said those on vacation should report to the police station nearest their location and be deployed there during the indicated time.