THIS is my last column for the Year 2011 and I wish that just like the previous year, 2012 would be another golden opportunity for the country and for all Filipinos to shine despite the odds. To my family, friends, readers, the police, my colleagues and fellow Journal Group workers: may the Good Lord continue to bless us with good health, a happy home and a peace of mind.

Happy New Year!!!

***

I have been told by my late dear parents not to speak ill of any person or wish them bad luck.

I’m sorry Nanay and Tatay but I am breaking my promise this time.  I wish that the bullets fired by all trigger-happy persons in the air today will return to earth and hit them or get stuck in the head of one of their loved ones.

I’m saying this because I have been tired of writing every time December comes all kinds of warnings from the government especially the Philippine National Police leadership about the danger of indiscriminate firing.

However, many people, law enforcers and civilians alike seemed to be deaf or blind to the warning and continue to violate the ban at the slightest instance, particularly when they are drunk.

How I wish that these trigger-happy persons would see their own loved ones as the victims of their bullets while in jail, in case the bullet fails to hit them in the head.

***

In a talk with PNP chief, General Nick Bartolome at the White House, the official PNP Chief’s residence in Camp Crame the other day, the latter told me he had told NCRPO chief, Director Alan Purisima and Manila Police District director, incoming Chief Superintendent Alex Gutierrez to see to it that three policemen— Police Officer 1 Lloyd Fernandez of the National Capital Region Police Office, PO1 Fulgencio Sideco of the Manila Police District and PO1 Raymond Pascua of the PNP Crime Laboratory—who got involved in separate cases of indiscriminate firing in Manila last week will remain in jail while their dismissal papers are being finalized.

During the oath-taking of newly promoted PNP Directors Ager Ontog Jr. and Roque Ramirez, both classmates of Gen. Bartolome at  PMA Class 1980 and Chief Supt. Jun Florece of PMA Class 1983, Gutierrez described PO1 Fernandez as the ‘pinakasiga’ among the three.

***

Gutierrez told me that the 30-year old Fernandez of the NCRPO Regional Public Safety Battalion was arrested by members of the MPD Station 4 shortly after he went on a shooting spree in Sampaloc, Manila last Saturday evening killing Roberto Solis and injuring Jay Valenzuela and Richard Zapanta.

The MPD chief said their investigation showed that the drunken Fernandez was driving his motorcycle when he got irked by the presence of a car parked in the middle of the street as well as a group of men drinking along the sidewalk last Christmas Eve.

At the height of an argument with the residents, the policeman shot one man to death before escaping on board his motorcycle. Upon reaching the nearby Tuazon St., he again figured in an argument with another group of men prompting him to shoot two other victims.

Unlucky for him, a group of patrolling policemen led by Supt. Rolando Balasabas chanced upon him and quickly hauled him to jail.

***

In Tondo, PO1 Pascua was arrested by his colleagues after he fired shots at the wake of his mother injuring two bystanders. Witnesses said the cop was trying to fire at a man who ran amok at the funeral of his mother in Tondo district injuring two persons who were taken to the Mary Johnston Hospital for treatment. On the other hand, PO1 Sideco was arrested after he fired shots at a party in Barangay 96 in Tondo on Christmas night. No one was reported injured in the case of indiscriminate firing although local residents were terrified.

Not to be outdone, another rookie cop, PO1 Cyril de Gracia of the Cordillera police is now in jail after he accidentally killed a 19-year old drinking buddy  when his service 9mm pistol went off as he was showing it off to his fellow drinkers in Malate, Manila last Thursday.

In all those incidents, the rookie policemen involved were arrested by their colleagues and are now behind bars. Lessons learned too late, it’s too late to apologize. As the saying goes, ‘nasa huli ang pagsisisisi.’

***

Gen. Bartolome told me has he specifically instructed the concerned directors of the four  policemen to see to it that they will be dismissed from the police service for grave misconduct apart from being held in jail for their criminal liabilities.

He however maintained that the four only compose a very few scoundrels in the 140,000-strong police force who continue to give a bad light to the organization despite the massive reforms it has been undertaking. The PNP Chief has ordered the taping of the guns of the police across the country to easily identify who will violate his order.

I’m joining him in his call for the public  to immediately report cases of indiscriminate firing in their area to DILG Patrol 117 and PNP Text 2920 for immediate response.