PNP eyes muzzling of service guns

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December 13, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Unlike in previous years, the public might again see the muzzles of the service firearms of police officers sealed during the Yuletide season, the Philippine National Police said.

The PNP, according to police spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, is studying the possibility of bringing back the tradition this year.

“We have seen in previous years that police officers stayed away from the temptation of firing their guns (because of the seal),” Tuaño said during a news forum in Quezon City.

He added that the idea was brought up during a meeting of the directorial staff, heads of national support units and deputy regional director for operations.

Tuaño said the idea has yet to be approved by acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Nartatez on Thursday imposed a one-strike policy against police officers who fire their weapons and ground commanders who fail to resolve cases of illegal firearms discharge.

For several years now, the PNP has skipped the muzzling of service firearms as it believes police officers are disciplined and will not indiscriminately use their firearms to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

Over 70,744 police officers and 30,000 augmentation forces are securing the country during the holiday season, which is higher compared to 2024 when a combined contingent of 60,000 police personnel and force multipliers were deployed nationwide.

Asked for the reason behind the increase, Tuaño said they want to sustain the PNP's crime reduction strategy by deploying more police officers to places of public convergence.