Manila: Personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have affixed adhesive tape on the muzzle of their firearms on Monday as part of preparations for safer holiday celebrations.

In simple ceremonies at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame in suburban Quezon City, Director Benjamin Magalong of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group led policemen in Camp Crame in placing symbolic adhesive tapes on the muzzles of their weapons.

While a puny adhesive tape will not, by any means stop a bullet travelling at several hundred metres per second, the practice was symbolic as much as it is practical. Placing adhesive tape on the business end of every police firearm had been enforced over the past several years

“The tape will not stop the discharge of bullets from the firearm but it will indicate if the weapon had been used at a time when it should not be used,” a police officer said.

He added that those who had fired their weapons during the holiday period would be investigated and made to explain why he or she discharged the firearm.

The officer explained that placing adhesive tape on the muzzle allows a gun to be fired if really necessary such as when police have to respond to an emergency situation.

The adhesive tape would be removed from the weapon’s muzzle after the New Year.

Bullets fired during celebration of Christmas and the New Year had been a cause of many accidents and it ranks second to firework accidents in terms of number of people maimed during the holidays.

According to the PNP, the number of people hurt by stray bullets in New Year 2014 had increased six-fold when compared to 2013.

Earlier, the PNP issued a stern warning on indiscriminate and illegal discharge of firearms by government and civilian gun holders as part of their support to a “gun-free” celebration of Christmas and New Year.

Deputy Director Leonardo Espina, who heads the PNP in a temporary capacity as officer in charge, had already issued a Memorandum to all PNP personnel for an intensified campaign against illegal discharge of firearms and indiscriminate firing.

“This traditional gun muzzle is a strong message to all gun owners, especially our policemen and soldiers who are the primary enforcers of the law, to refrain from firing their guns and help prevent casualties and injuries during the revelry of the yuletide,” Espina said.

He also said that joint teams from the police and the military would also be organised to conduct preventive patrols to arrest or apprehend uniformed personnel, members of law enforcement agencies and civilians involved in indiscriminate firing.

Just like in some countries, Filipinos traditionally welcome the New Year with noise-making. This revelry starts several days ahead of Christmas Day.