PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos yesterday reiterated his appeal to all law enforcement agents and the public to refrain from engaging indiscriminate firing since they will find themselves in jail and facing criminal charges while the country welcomes Year 2022.

He issued the appeal in the wake of an incident in Taguig City where local policemen arrested three Army officers for their involvement in a shooting incident on Christmas Day which injured three persons, three of them minors.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Major General Vicente D. Danao Jr. also joined Carlos in calling on law enforcement authorities and licensed gunholders to keep their temper in check, avoid over-drinking and don’t use their weapons to threaten others this yuletide season.

“Muli, tayo ay nakikiusap sa publiko ganun din sa iba pa nating kasama na nasa uniformed service at mga iba pang civilian holders ng baril. Maging kalmado tayo at huwag uminit ang ulo at hayaang umepekto ang alak upang mapanakit tayo ng iba,” the Metro Manila police chief said.

“ Maraming pamamaraan na hindi gagamitan ng baril o diretsong pagpapaputok ang agarang sagot sa isang pangyayari maliban kung ito ay may banta sa ating buhay. There are a lot of peaceful means to prevent and repel the aggression without resorting to firing your guns,” the NCRPO chief said.

“Hindi dahil may baril ka ay passport ninyo na po yan to indiscriminately fire your firearms and/or to illegally discharge your firearms. Magkagayunman, the incident is already being handled by our in investigators in Taguig to ferret out the truth, to establish and validate the facts of the case. Nonetheless, please be assured that this will be handled without fear or favor,” Danao said.

Carlos has ordered the NCRPO to fully coordinate their investigation of the three Army men with the Philippine Army leadership. The Army assured full cooperation with the probe and will file administrative charges against the accused who are also facing a string of criminal charges.

The three identified as Army Captain Nheiljay Maguddayao Garcia, 31; Probationary 2nd Lieutenant Felomino Maguddayao Garcia, 30; and 1st Lt. Minalyn Awat Ladyong, 29, were arrested by responding officers from the Taguig City Police Station and subjected to standard criminal investigation

Initial investigation revealed that the suspects were having a small Christmas celebration in Barangay Pinagsama when they were allegedly pelted with stones by a group of men prompting them to shoot at the group with an M-16 automatic rifle.

Wounded in the shooting were Edsel Polo, 28; JD U Navales,24; John Carl Sabino,18; and three minors aged 17, 16 and 14. They were rushed to a hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.

“The PNP immediately informed the AFP regarding the incident so proper course of action can be taken by our counterparts in the military,” Carlos said.

The top cop assured an impartial investigation of the case based on testimonies of both sides to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident which took place at C-5 Service Road in Wildcat Village, Barangay Pinagsama in Taguig City around 3 a.m. last Christmas Day.

The local police said that some of the victims reportedly threw stones at the soldiers who were having a drinking spree at their residence with some companions. Angered, the suspects allegedly shot the victims with an M-16 rifle.

Garcia was found to be assigned at the Army Command and Control Training and Doctrine Command based in Capaz, Tarlac while 2Lt. Garcia is with the Army’s Headquarters Support Group in Fort Bonifacio.

1Lt. Ladyong is assigned at the Army Signal Regiment in Ft. Bonifacio.

Gen. Carlos also reminded all police commanders of the operational guidelines and procedures to be followed in maintaining order, law enforcement, and providing public safety services this Yuletide season.

The PNP chief said that earlier orders for enhanced security operations before, during, and after Christmas Day and New Year’s Day shall be strictly observed as it is expected to cause an influx of people in shopping centers, churches, transport terminals, and other public places.

Further, he directed all police units to avoid unnecessary activities in their respective jurisdictions but to maintain police presence and ensure public safety.

The PNP is also working in cooperation with the Department of Health, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other concerned agencies to eliminate, if not, help reduce the number of victims and damaged properties due to firecracker-related incidents this yuletide season.

The public is encouraged to support and cooperate with the security protocols of the PNP. Any untoward incidents and crime situations should be reported to the police through nationwide emergency hotline 911 or PNP social media accounts, @pnppio for Twitter, or thru the official account of Philippine National Police on Facebook and E-sumbong hotline numbers 09178475757/09191601752.

Carlos has ordered all police units nationwide to seize prohibited firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices and arrest all persons who will try to sell and distribute them.

The top cop emphasized that the sale of these illegal firecrackers outside designated firecracker zones is strictly prohibited and punishable under the law.

RA 7183 and EO 28 identified the following firecrackers regulated for sale and use: Baby Rocket, Bawang, El Diablo, Judas’ Belt, Paper Caps, Pulling of Strings, Sky Rocket (Kwitis), Small “Triangulo and other types of firecrackers that are not oversized, not over weight and not imported.

The following pyrotechnic devices are allowed to be sold and used:

Butterfly, Fountain, Jumbo Regular and Special, Luces, Mabuhay, Roman Candle, Sparklers, Trompillo, Whistle Device, all kinds of pyrotechnic devices (Pailaw) and other types equivalent to the foregoing pyrotechnic devices.

Prohibited from being manufactured, sold and used are: Watusi, Piccolo, Poppop, Five Star, Pla-Pla, Lolo Thunder, Giant Bawang, Giant Whistle Bomb, Atomic Bomb, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle, Goodbye Bading, large-size Judas Belt, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye De Lima, Bin Laden, Hello Columbia, Mother Rockets, Goodbye Napoles, Coke-in-Can, Super Yolanda, Pillbox, Mother Rockets, Boga, Kwiton, Kabasi, all overweight and oversized Firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices (FCPD), all imported finished products, other unlabelled locally made FCPD products, and other types of firecrackers with other brands/names equivalent to those that are prohibited.