Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, May 15, said warning shots are generally prohibited under operational procedures, in response to gunshots inside the Senate earlier this week between the Senate security and law enforcers.
PNP spokesperson Randulf Tuaño said the police operational procedure (POP) clearly bars officers from firing warning shots except under specific circumstances.
“As a general rule, sinasabi rito na bawal ang warning shots sa lahat ng mga miyembro ng Philippine National Police. May tatlo lamang exemption na isinasaad sa aming POP: kung ang miyembro ng PNP ay outnumbered, overpowered, o nagdedelikado ang kanyang buhay,” said Tuaño.
[Translation: As a general rule, it states here that warning shots are prohibited for all members of the Philippine National Police. There are only three exemptions stated in our POP: if the PNP member is outnumbered, overpowered, or their life is in danger. ]
Now suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, a retired police general, admitted firing the first shot during the standoff with National Bureau of Investigation agents on Wednesday, May 13.
Tuaño said even non-PNP personnel may face possible criminal liability over similar incidents.
“Sa mga non-members ng Philippine National Police, may batas naman na nag go-govern sa kahalintulad na insidente halimbawa ng warning shot. Nandyan ang Revised Penal Code na [may] sinasabi about indiscriminate firing at yung possible charge na alarms and scandal,” he added.
[Translation: For non-members of the Philippine National Police, there is a law that governs similar incidents, such as warning shots. There is the Revised Penal Code which discusses indiscriminate firing and the possible charge of alarms and scandals.]
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the Senate incident, which also prompted separate probes by the ombudsman and the Department of Justice.
(Sophia Sioco contributed in this report.)
