Miyerkules, Setyembre 9, 2015

Bullets do kill bystanders

The spokesman of the Philipppine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Chief Inspector Oliver Tanseco, should very well know that a bullet, once it leaves the barrel of a gun, doesn’t differentiate between its intended target and innocent bystanders.

No matter how daunting the task given the PNP-HPG to untangle the heavy traffic at EDSA is, it should review its very dangerous announced policy of letting bullets chase after motorists fleeing from a “crime.”

Said Tanseco as quoted by a national daily: “HPG troopers will not hesitate to disable a vehicle by shooting its tire in case a motorist escapes from a crime.”

Last time we checked, the PNP rules of engagement states that a police officer can only draw or fire his firearm in the event that his life or those of other people are directly being threatened, say by a gunman.

So, is it really justified for a member of the PNP-HPG to shoot at vehicles “fleeing” a “crime.” And by crime, did the PNP-HPG meant mere traffic violations or a motorist leaving behind a road carnage of his doing?

What if a motorist being flagged down by a PNP-HPG officer didn’t see his being flagged down? Would he then be considered to be fleeing from a crime? Would shooting at his vehicle’s tires be justified?

Even when chasing real criminals like bank robbers, the police are expected to use firearms as a last recourse especially in crowded areas because bullets once fired cannot be taken back when they hit innocent bystanders. 
–End-


Image by: Abante

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