PNP to investigate Coast Guard member

PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has directed the Coast Guard Internal Affairs Service (CGIAS) to cooperate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) investigation in connection with a PCG personnel who committed indiscriminate discharge of firearm in Naic, Cavite on February 18.

“When I assumed office, I firmly instructed all PCG personnel possessing firearms, may it be personal or issued by the Command, to exercise maximum tolerance and strictly comply with gun safety regulations,” Admiral Gavan said on Thursday, February 22.

“Committing such crime while wearing the PCG uniform affected his unit’s reputation and the public image of the entire Coast Guard organization,” he added.

Initial investigation showed that at around 02:40 a.m., the said PCG personnel with the rank of Seaman Second Class and under the Coast Guard Sub-Station Rosario, wearing the Coast Guard’s battle dress uniform (BDU), went to Latoria village in Naic, where he met his live-in partner.

The PCG personnel reportedly had a heated altercation with her partner, with his loud shouting attracting public attention.

The PCG personnel later pointed his PCG-issued firearm to the ground and fired indiscriminately. At least 18 empty shells of a caliber 5.56 firearm were recovered in the area.

At around 03:56 a.m., the PNP Naic arrested the PCG personnel and confiscated the PCG-issued firearm (Galil ACE) for violating Republic Act 11926.

“If proven guilty, the concerned PCG personnel shall face the consequences of his actions, which include being dishonorably discharged from the Coast Guard service,” Gavan said.

He stressed that the PCG has zero tolerance for public servants who violate the very rules and regulations they must uphold.