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Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Soldiers told: Fire your guns and be fired
MANILA -- The military said Tuesday any soldier who will be found firing their service firearms to welcome the New Year will be discharged from the service.
Colonel Tristan Kison, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Information Office (AFP-PIO), said any military personnel caught firing their guns indiscriminately will be charged with violation of Article of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman) and 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) before the military court martial.
He said dismissal from the service await those who would be found guilty of these charges.
Kison said aside from the military court, erring soldiers could also be charged before a civilian court for illegal discharge of a firearm.
A number of deaths and injuries during the past New Year's celebration were attributed to stray bullets.
"Every year for so many years, the AFP leadership has been bringing down directives to our soldiers to refrain from firing their rifles during the past New Years revelries," said Kison.
He said field commanders are tasked to check on their men.
Kison said a number of soldiers have been meted out with stiff penalties for indiscriminately firing their weapons in past New Years revelries.
He, however, could not give figures how many officers and men have been punished so far.
"On ordinary circumstances wherein we are not celebrating, we punish our soldiers who fired their rifles indiscriminately, how much more if the AFP leadership is telling them to refrain from firing their rifles during the New Year," he added. (JFF/Sunnex)
(December 28, 2005 issue)
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