4 cops probed for firing guns during New Year revelries

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has launched a probe into four police officers allegedly involved in cases of indiscriminate firing during the celebration of the 2026 New Year.

In a statement on Friday, the PNP said the four police officers—from Surigao del Sur, Iloilo, Parañaque City, and Cagayan de Oro City—are currently being investigated for alleged indiscriminate firing.

PNP Acting Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. had earlier warned police officers that the PNP is enforcing a one-strike policy, promising administrative sanctions and criminal liability without second chances for officers found guilty of indiscriminate firing.

He has reiterated the warning, reminding the four personnel of the consequences of their actions.

“My instruction was clear and simple: Do not use any firearm to greet the New Year or in any celebration. I trusted each and every uniformed personnel to maintain discipline and professionalism and focus on our job of maintaining peace and order, which is why we did not tape the muzzle of our service firearms,” he said.

The four police officers face possible dismissal if the allegations are proven to be true, Nartatez said.

“To these four policemen who violated that instruction, pasensyahan na lang tayo. Once the investigation is done and you are found liable, I will make sure that you will be kicked out of the police service,” he said.

Three of the involved personnel have already been disarmed and are reportedly in jail, while a follow-up operation is being conducted to arrest the fourth police officer in Cagayan de Oro City, who remains at large.

“We are also conducting an investigation to identify those responsible for other cases of indiscriminate firing. They need to be identified and put behind bars for compromising the safety of the people,” Nartatez said.—MCG, GMA Integrated News