4 cops tagged in holiday indiscriminate firing face dismissal proceedings, says PNP
Four police officers are facing dismissal proceedings after being linked to cases of indiscriminate firing during the New Year celebration, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday, Jan. 2.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., acting PNP chief, ordered a thorough investigation into the actions of the subject cops as he emphasized that any involvement in indiscriminate firing is a serious breach of discipline and abuse of authority.
Data from the PNP indicated that the four officers were part of a total of 16 individuals linked to indiscriminate firing incidents between December 16, 2025, and January 1, 2026.
The officers identified by the PNP 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 policemen have been disarmed and detained following orders from their respective regional directors.
Meanwhile, authorities are still conducting 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.