ILOILO CITY — This early, the Police Regional Office in Region 6 (PRO 6) is appealing to the public to avoid using firearms during the Christmas Eve and in welcoming the New Year to avoid victims of stray bullets.
PRO-6 spokesperson Superintendent Gilbert Gorero said Monday that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will implement a one-strike policy where the police station commander whose jurisdiction has casualty due to stray bullet incidents will face administrative liability if the case is unsolved within 24 hours.
This was meant to “eliminate casualty and injuries from stray bullet,” according to Gorero.
The same policy applies to provincial or city directors if it happens in two or more stations under their jurisdiction. The regional director is liable if it happens in two or more provinces.
“As of now we appeal to responsible firearms holder. Gone are the days when we used firearms to welcome New Year and Christmas Eve,” he said, adding that more lives will be saved only if the public will heed the call.
Western Visayas recorded five cases of indiscriminate firing with no stray bullet victims in welcoming 2017.
In addition to firearms, Gorero said they are also appealing to the public not to use firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
He also called on barangay officials to identify areas in their villages where regulated firecrackers will be allowed. It has to be in uninhabited areas, he said.
The Department of Health (DOH) is also advocating the use of “torotot” instead of firecrackers. (PNA)
