ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) will again skip this year the sealing of the muzzles of police officers’ service firearms for the holiday celebrations.
“I trust the men and women of PRO-6. They are responsible gun handlers so there is no need to tape their guns’ muzzles,” said Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, Western Visayas’ top cop.
Miranda’s move was in response to Interior secretary Eduardo Año’s announcement that muzzle taping of cops’ firearms would depend on the unit commanders.
But Miranda warned that those who would fire their guns indiscriminately during the Christmas and New Year revelries will be dismissed from the service.
The PRO-6, he said, is aiming to achieve zero stray bullet incidents, zero indiscriminate firing cases and zero major crimes.
For the past four years that no muzzle taping was done, no policeman was complained for illegally discharging his firearm, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, proving that cops are disciplined gun holders.
The same as last year, she reminded policemen not to illegally discharge their guns to welcome the New Year.
Meanwhile, Miranda told cops to remain active and continue with law enforcement efforts to maintain peace and order in all parts of the region.
“I don’t want to hear that police stations are being left unmanned. Dapat naka-alert tayo,” Miranda stressed.
The PRO-6 had been on full alert since the first week of December.
Police visibility and preventive patrol operations were be maximized to deter lawless elements from striking during the holidays./PN
