MANILA — The Philippine National Police has arrested 24 people from 30 recorded cases of "indiscriminate" firing of guns during the holiday season.

The 24 arrested between December 16 and January 2 include one military personnel, one Bureau of Corrections personnel, one security guard, and two police officers. 

The Revised Penal Code punishes those who "wilfully and indiscriminately discharge any firearm or other device that may not have been designed as firearm, but can be functionally used as a firearm" with imprisonment of up to six months unless heavier charges like homicide and murder are warranted.

The illegal discharge of firearms carries a penalty one degree higher when done by military and law enforcement personnel.

The rest of those arrested are civilians while seven suspects are still at large.

The PNP confiscated a total of 17 firearms in the incidents.

The PNP also reported that five people were injured in the cases of indiscriminate firing.

Meanwhile, 14 cases of stray bullets were recorded during the same period: six in the National Capital Region; one in Central Luzon; one in Central Visayas; three in Zamboanga Peninsula; one in Northern Mindanao; one in Davao Region; and one in Cordillera Administrative Region.

These incidents resulted in eight injuries.

PNP destroys more than 6,000 illegal firecrackers in Rizal

ILLEGAL FIRECRACKERS

More than 600,000 illegal firecrackers have been confiscated so far, according to the PNP.

Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the confiscated firecrackers are estimated to be worth P4.046 million.

A total of 83 individuals have been arrested in connection with the illegal possession and sale of firecrackers.

Most of the arrests were reported in Calabarzon with 42, followed by Eastern Visayas with 17 and Metro Manila with 10.

The PNP added a total of 822 were injured and two were killed due to firecrackers.

The two fatalities were recorded in Ilocos Region and in Central Visayas.

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