AN OFFICIAL of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao said Wednesday, December 20, that there is no need to seal off the muzzles of their firearms for the holidays.
PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Superintendent Lemuel Gonda said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will forego for the second time the annual muzzle taping of government-issued firearms.
Gonda said it is no longer necessary to taped off gun muzzle because the police of today are already responsible in carrying and handling their firearms during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
He said as law enforcers, the police have the sworn duty to protect the people and taping the muzzle of their guns might compromise operations against criminal elements.
Gonda said the Northern Mindanao police have been ordered to be alert and vigilant as Mindanao remains under martial law and terror and security threats are still present.
He said criminal and lawless elements may take advantage and confidently commit crimes if law enforcers will cover the mouth of their guns.
He said there has been no record of a single policeman who illegally discharged his firearm during the holiday break in the previous year.
But Gonda said anybody who witnesses a policeman illegally discharging his weapon during the holidays may take video or photo and report the incident to the PRO-Northern Mindanao.
Gonda warned that if anyone is proven to have illegally discharged, his gun will be booted out from the police service and will also face criminal charges.
"Gone are the days nga atong kapolisan gapabuto sa ilang armas sa pasko ug New Year kay kabalo na sila nga mag-atubang sila sa administrative and criminal charges kung mapamatud-an," Gonda said.
