MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday explained the only time warning shots can be fired both by members of the police force and the civil community.
The issue of firing warning shots has been a hot topic in the past days following the Senate shooting on Wednesday that started because the Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca fired warning shots to operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) who were at the vicinity allegedly to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered for the six-month preventive suspension of Aplasca, a retired Filipino Police Major General and security official.
According to PBGen Randulf T. Tuaño, PNP personnel are not allowed to fire warning shots as a general rule according to their Rules of Engagement.
However there are exceptions.
“Kung ang miyembro ng PNP ay outnumbered, overpowered o nagde-delikado ang kanyang buhay,” Tuaño said.
As for non-members of the police force who would fire warning shots would be answerable to laws in the Revised Penal Code under Republic Act No. 11926 or the Indiscriminate Discharge of Firearms as well as Alarms and Scandal
