Four police officers are facing dismissal proceedings after being linked to indiscriminate firing incidents during the New Year celebration, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Friday, Jan. 2.
Acting PNP Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. ordered a thorough investigation, stressing that indiscriminate firing constitutes a grave breach of discipline and abuse of authority.
According to PNP data, the four officers were among 16 individuals implicated in firing incidents recorded between December 16, 2025, and January 1, 2026.
The officers identified include a Police Master Sergeant in Surigao del Sur, a Police Senior Master Sergeant in Iloilo, a Patrolman in Parañaque City, and a Patrolman in Cagayan de Oro City.
Three of the officers have already been disarmed and detained following directives from their respective regional directors.
Authorities are continuing operations to locate the fourth, a rookie policeman in Cagayan de Oro, who remains at large.
“My instruction was clear and simple: Do not use any firearm to greet the New Year or in any celebration. I trusted each and every uniformed personnel to maintain discipline and professionalism and focus on our job of maintaining peace and order, the reason why we did not tape the muzzle of our service firearms,” Nartatez said.
“And to these four policemen who violated that instruction, pasensyahan na lang tayo. Once the investigation is done and found you liable, I will make sure that you will be kicked out of the police service,” he stressed.
An investigation is ongoing to identify other individuals, who are civilians, involved in indiscriminate firing during the holiday.
Nartatez vowed to personally monitor all cases of indiscriminate firing, including those involving the policemen, to ensure suspects are held accountable, both administratively and criminally. (Martin Sadongdong)
