2 Northern Samar town cops relieved over firing of M16 rifle in motorboat race

Two cops including the Chief of Police have been relieved from their post over the firing of an M16 rifle to signal the start of a motorboat race during the Bugsayan festival in Lavezares, Northern Samar, according to the provincial police Monday.

“To ensure transparency and accountability, the personnel involved, including the Chief of Police of Lavezares, have been relieved from their posts while the investigation is underway,” the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office said in a statement.

The provincial police said it is conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident that happened in the Bankaton Festival and Motorized Banca Race event on August 20.

“In the said incident, a PNP personnel allegedly used an issued M16 rifle to signal the start of a motorboat race,” the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office said.

“A video of the incident, which has since gone viral, has raised public concern over the risks of using firearms as signaling devices,” it added.

The provincial police said that the round discharged was a blank fired toward the open sea.

“No harm, damage, or malicious intent was reported, and the activity proceeded peacefully until its successful conclusion. Nevertheless, the NSPPO treats this matter with the utmost seriousness,” it said.

In light of this, the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office said all units were directed to strictly observe policies on the proper use of issued firearms.

Supervision during public activities is also being tightened, with closer coordination with local government units and event organizers to ensure that safe and appropriate signaling methods are observed, it added.

In a separate statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) called the incident "unacceptable."

“The recent incident in Northern Samar, where a service firearm was used during a local festival to signal the start of a boat race, is unacceptable,” the PNP said.

“While the act may have been non-hostile and did not result in harm or damage, it nonetheless constitutes a clear deviation from established protocols on firearm use,” it added.

The PNP reminded all uniformed personnel that their issued firearms must be handled with the highest degree of discipline and responsibility at all times.

“Firearms are issued strictly for legitimate law enforcement operations. They must never be used for ceremonial, symbolic, or non-operational purposes without explicit clearance and proper authority,” it said.

“Any misuse, regardless of intent, will not be tolerated and may subject the personnel involved to administrative and disciplinary action,” it added. — Joviland Rita/BAP, GMA Integrated News