No taping again of gun muzzles this year —PNP chief

Like last year, the Philippine National Police is not going to seal the gun muzzles of their personnel this holiday season.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa made the confirmation in a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Sunday.

"Wala na dahil na-experience naman natin last year, hindi na natin ginawa yung practice na yan na ilang taon na ginagawa natin. Sa awa ng Diyos, wala rin namang pulis na na-charge last year," he said.

"I think okay na yun, tuluy-tuloy na yun. Hindi na tayo magte-tape ng muzzle ng baril." 

Last year, Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, head of the PNP Directorate for Operations, said the non-taping of the gun muzzles aimed to show that discipline of the police.

“It’s a directive from the chief PNP last command conference. This is to show the people that the PNP is a disciplined and trusted organization. In that case, it does not need muzzle taping,” he said in a text message.

Dela Rosa, in the interview, said there is no need to seal the gun muzzles since all police forces are required to report on duty during the holidays.

"Paano ka makakaputok kung ikaw ay naka-uniporme at nagdu-duty? Nire-require natin yan, 100 percent, lahat ng kapulisan natin ina-account natin during Christmas Eve at New Year's Eve," he said.

At the same, Dela Rosa has instructed the police to forcibly enter residences and establishments where gunfire is heard during the New Year revelry.

Likewise, the police chief advised the public against the use of dangerous firecrackers in welcoming the New Year, and instead encouraged them to use drums and horns to prevent firecracker-related injuries.

"Ang advice ko lang sa kanila, sana huwag na silang magpaputok. Tignan niyo yung sa Davao o. Every Christmas, New Year, walang paputok, walang injury. Zero injury, zero casualty palagi. Walang sunog, walang air pollution," he said.

"Tambol na lang at tsaka torotot para mag-ingay para sa pagsalubong sa New Year para magliparan mag-alisan yung mga masasamang ispirito," he added.  —LBG, GMA News