Zambo Sur and Pagadiaqn City police starts muzzles sealing of service firearms

Provincial Director Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Dec, 23, 2014-MPF News) — Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) headed by Provincial Director Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre had started muzzles sealing of their service firearms Monday morning after the flag raising ceremony.

Ecaldre said the sealing of their service firearms is neither a form of restriction on the use of the firearm nor a sign of distrust on the part of the commanders but a show of commitment in compliance with a Philippine National Police (PNP) higher command directive against the use or firing of guns during the Christmas Eve and the upcoming New Year revelry.

Ecaldre sealed the muzzle of the firearms of policemen based at Camp Abelon that houses the provincial headquarters in this city while the police chiefs at the respective police stations.

Ecaldre’s command covers one city police station and 26 municipal police stations with more than 1,000 armed policemen.

He warned his officers and personnel they would be slapped with administrative and criminal charges once they will use their firearms outside the call of duty.

“Any violation done by the policemen will be slapped with charges,” he added.

He said inspection and removal of the tape will be held in January 2 next year.

The Police Municipal Stations are currently implementing in batches the inventory and sealing of all issued service firearms in the area using signed pieces of masking tapes."We're strictly monitoring this to ensure proper compliance, Ecaldre added.

Pagadian City Chief of Police Supt Glenn Dulawan

Early morning Tuesday the Pagadian City Police Station lead by City Chief of Police Supt Glenn Dulawan also sealed the nozzles of service firearms in front of their City Police Station to comply the directives. 

                                       
  

The police have recorded one fatality of stray bullet during the 2013 New Year’s revelry in this city but zero in 2014 and 6 injuries in 2013 and only 2 in 2014 or a 66 percent reduction of injuries. (By JONG CADION-MPF News)