Stray bullet, illegal discharge of firearms incidents decreased —Año

The incidence of stray bullets and illegal discharge of firearms dipped during the holiday season due to close monitoring of authorities, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año said on Saturday.

Stray bullet incidents went down by 81% over the holidays compared to the same period last year, while illegal discharge of firearms cases went down by 43%, Año said in a statement.

The DILG chief attributed the decline in both cases to the close monitoring and patrolling by police of key areas nationwide.

“Habang lahat tayo ay nagdiriwang kasama ang ating mga pamilya, masusing nagbantay at nagpatrolya sa mga lansangan ang PNP (Philippine National Police) para maging ligtas at payapa ang ating kapaskuhan. Kaya binabati ko at pinasasalamatan ang PNP dahil nagbunga ang inyong pagsisikap!,” Año said.

Citing data from the PNP, the DILG said only three stray bullet incidents were recorded from December 16, 2019 to January 1, 2020. No one was hurt in those incidents.

During the same period last year, 12 were injured in 16 stray bullet incidents, the DILG said.

Meanwhile, over the holiday season, 21 were arrested for illegal discharge of firearms which resulted to seven people injured, the DILG added.

This was lower than the 36 arrests made last year during the same period, which resulted to 14 injuries and one fatality.

The 21 arrests for illegal discharge of firearms this year were made by the Philippine National Police Regional Office 10 and the National Capital Region Police Office (three each), as well as the PRO 4A, PRO 5, PRO 11 and PRO Bangsamoro Autonomous Region which all made two arrests each.

"The remaining seven regions recorded one arrest each for illegal discharge of firearms," The DILG said.

The PNP categorizes as stray bullet incidents those involving unknown suspects and with bullets hitting rooftops or coming from an unknown source or direction.

Illegal discharge of firearms, on the other hand, are committed by suspects who have been identified and arrested, according to PNP's definition.

Año also cited the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for strictly inspecting firecracker manufacturers.

He also commended the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for closely monitoring jails which resulted in zero escapes over the holidays.

The DILG chief also thanked local government units who worked closely with the PNP and BFP in informing people about illegal firecrackers. 

Año urged LGUs to follow Davao City and Marikina City which have exhibited discipline in prohibiting the use of illegal firecrackers.

“Gayahin natin ang disiplina ng mga taga-Davao City kung saan sa halip na paputok ay torotot, kaldero, kawali, at videoke ang kanilang pang-ingay sa Pasko at Bagong Taon sa loob ng 19 taon,” Año said.

“Gayahin din natin ang Marikina City na sa halip na sa mga bahay magpaputok ay nagtipon tipon sa libreng pa-concert bilang ‘regalo’ sa kanilang mga mamamayan na may kasama pang fireworks display simula pa noong 1990s,” he said. —KG, GMA News