Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) commanders are given 36 hours to resolve incidents of indiscriminate firings or face relief from their posts amid the holiday season revelries.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a media forum on Friday, PNP spokesperson and information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o stated that this mandate is part of a memorandum issued by acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. This initiative, referred to as the “one-strike policy,” requires field commanders to act swiftly on cases involving the illegal discharge of firearms. ‘If a case remains unsolved beyond 36 hours, commanders will be held responsible,’ Nartatez emphasized in a statement, urging gun owners to uphold responsible firearm handling.
While the memorandum sets strict timelines for resolving firearm-related incidents, Tua±o noted that no directive has been issued regarding the muzzling of police officers’ guns during the holiday season. This matter was discussed during an enhanced managing police operations conference, where strategies to reduce the eight focus crimes were deliberated.
The holiday season will see about 70,744 police officers deployed across the country to ensure security. According to Nartatez, different assignments have been made with police officers securing places of worship, transportation hubs, thoroughfares, and commercial areas. Under the Oplan Ligtas Paskuhan 2025, the PNP is also supported by auxiliary units and force multipliers to maintain peace during the festivities.
Nartatez assured the public of heightened police visibility and rapid response capabilities, emphasizing that the PNP has been preparing for weeks for the Yuletide season. Local police units have undergone orientation seminars on firecracker and pyrotechnic regulations to ensure safety.
Churches, especially during the nine-day Simbang Gabi, will witness increased police presence, with patrol teams collaborating with parish volunteers to manage churchgoer movements. The PNP is also intensifying operations against theft, robbery, and other crimes that usually surge during the holiday rush.
Moreover, police units are coordinating with local authorities on designated firecracker zones and monitoring the sale of illegal pyrotechnics. The PNP General Hospital is prepared to treat any firecracker-related injuries. K9 patrol units will secure ports, while explosive ordnance disposal teams will monitor public gatherings for suspicious devices.
To counteract cybercrime, particularly during the holiday season, Nartatez has instructed the police Anti-Cybercrime Group to enhance monitoring of fraudulent travel bookings, fake online selling schemes, and other cybercrimes.
