PNP orders frequent gun safety familiarization after deadly Laguna accidental firing
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has instructed all its commanders to strengthen the conduct of gun safety trainings among its men following the incident in Laguna where a member of the local Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) died in an accidental firing.
Police Col. Redrico Maranan, chief of the PNP-Public Information Office, said every policeman must be familiar with gun safety rules in order to prevent accident which became deadly in the case of Police Fhrank Aldene Dela Cruz who was hit when one of the guns they were cleaning accidentally went off on Thursday, Nov. 24.
"Our Chief PNP, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., has issued a directive reiterating to our commanders to make the gun safety training more frequent. It should be done in a weekly basis," said Maranan.
A group of SWAT members were reportedly cleaning their firearms when the gun being checked by Police Corporal George Mervin Duran accidentally fired. The bullet hit dela Cruz on the chest which resulted in his death.
Maranan said an investigation is being conducted to determine what happened and to check if there were gun safety protocols violated.
In the case of Duran, Maranan said there will be administrative and criminal charges that would be filed.