MANILA - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa promised Tuesday to use "the full force of law" against revelers and policemen who would ring in the New Year by firing their guns.

"No mercy kami ngayon sa inyo. Kapag kayo'y nahuling nag-indiscriminate firing, you will face the full force of law, lalong-lalo na kung kayo ay pulis," Dela Rosa said at a press briefing.

(We will show no mercy. If you are caught firing indiscriminately, you will face the full force of law, especially if you're a cop.)

Dela Rosa said he has ordered all policemen to cancel their holiday leaves and patrol public areas from 5 p.m. on December 31 to 5 a.m. on January 1.

He also authorized cops to enter houses should they hear gunshots, citing the "hot pursuit" rule.

"Kakatukin ang bahay n'yo. Kung ayaw n'yo silang papasukin, they will break into your house," Dela Rosa told the public. "I hope everyone cooperates. Gusto niyo ng pagbabago, magbago na rin po tayo. Ipakita natin sa buong mundo na ang Pilipino, disiplinado."

(They will knock on your doors. If you refuse to let them in, they will break into your house. I hope everyone cooperates. If you want change, you must change too. Let us show the world that Filipinos are disciplined. )

NO GUN MUZZLING

The PNP will also forego the traditional sealing of service firearms with tape as a show of trust that its personnel will not fire their guns indiscriminately, Dela Rosa said.

He said policemen caught unnecessarily filing their guns would face grave misconduct charges and dismissal from service.

Police station commanders who fail to arrest suspects of indiscriminate firing within 24 hours will be relieved, he said.

Regional, provincial and municipal police chiefs will also face disciplinary actions if two of their immediate subordinates were relieved from their posts.

"Kaya ko ito ginagawa para focused tayong lahat... Supervise your men properly para ma-achieve natin iyung zero casualty," Dela Rosa said.

(I'm doing this so we can all focus. Supervise your men properly so we can achieve a zero casualty record this New Year.)