Police monitoring for stray bullet incidents

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) completed their security plans ahead of this year’s holiday celebrations, with NOPPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., expressing his confidence in the preparedness of law enforcement throughout the province.

He noted, beyond deployments to areas of convergence, which include shopping malls, transport hubs, and churches, police are also looking to ensure there are no stray bullet incidents. The NOPPO chief affirmed, police chiefs who fail to resolve stray bullet incidents within a 24-hour period will face penalties.

Castil also appealed to firearm owners, requesting they handle their weapons responsibly in order to avoid unnecessary incident.

Provincial police were also warned not to engage in indiscriminate firing, as they will be held criminally and administratively liable.

Aside from the holiday season, Castil also noted, law enforcement is also on alert with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) celebrating their founding anniversary on December 26.

He said police are expecting a “big one” from the rebel group, especially after President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared the group a terrorist organization./DGB, WDJ