Four cops face probe, dismissal over New Year gunfire

Four police officers who allegedly engaged in indiscriminate firing during New Year’s celebrations are under investigation and may face dismissal from service, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

The four include a police master sergeant in Surigao del Sur, a police senior master sergeant in Iloilo, and two patrolmen assigned in Parañaque City and Cagayan de Oro City.

PNP acting chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., a lieutenant general, said he directed the regional directors of Caraga, Western Visayas, and the National Capital Region to disarm and detain three of the officers involved.

The patrolman assigned in Cagayan de Oro City, however, remains at large, prompting the PNP to launch follow-up operations.

PNP data showed that the four officers are among the 16 cases of indiscriminate firing recorded nationwide from December 16, 2025, to January 1, 2026.

“My instruction was clear and simple: Do not use any firearm to greet the New Year or in any celebration,” Nartatez said in a statement on Friday. “I trusted each and every uniformed personnel to maintain discipline and professionalism and to focus on our job of maintaining peace and order, which is why we did not tape the muzzles of our service firearms.”

“To these four policemen who violated that instruction, let’s just understand each other,” he added. “Once the investigation is done and they are found liable, I will make sure that you will be kicked out of the police service.”