Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos on Wednesday ordered a review of the rules on live fire exercises for police officers to prevent mishaps during these activities.
This came following a mishap that wounded a police instructor and a trainee at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 Training Center in Barangay Poblacion, Aringay, La Union on Tuesday.
“If accidents like this can happen in training even under controlled conditions, it is likely to happen anytime during the course of normal police functions involving firearms and live ammunition,” Carlos said in a statement.
He said an investigation of the incident is now ongoing.
Carlos, a qualified firearms instructor and weapons specialist, reminded that “the firearm is standard police equipment that must be handled only by properly trained personnel with updated training certification on firearms proficiency and safety”.
Based on initial reports, the instructor identified as Cpl. Benie Dupayat and his trainee, Pat. John Conrad Villanueva, were in the middle of a firearms familiarization session with a demonstration of the operating functions of a .45 caliber pistol when the gun malfunctioned and discharged a round.
Dupayat was hit on his hand while the fired bullet ricocheted and hit Villanueva in the thigh. Both personnel were treated at the PNP regional hospital.
“We will determine the veracity of the claim that this was purely accidental, at the same time, we remind our instructors to ensure safety at all times. Safety is paramount in weapons training and every instructor must not fall behind this primary consideration,” he added.
Source: Philippines News Agency
