ON orders of President Duterte, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año directed Wednesday the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ban cops from drinking in bars, nightclubs and in public places.
He immediately asked the PNP to issue the necessary administrative circular to ensure that police officers carry themselves professionally in the most appropriate manner.
The DILG chief vowed to impose the stiffest sanctions against cops violating this directive, citing the President’s strict order of banning them from drinking in bars, pubs and public places like streets, sidewalks and the like.
In issuing the warning, Año said he expects “the senior officials of the PNP from Director General Oscar Albayalde down to all Chiefs of Police in all cities and towns to lead by example so that their men will follow’’.
He agreed with the President that people lose their respect and trust in policemen and the entire PNP as an organization when they see drunken policemen in public.
During the DILG’s Barangay Summit on Peace and Order in the National Capital Region, Duterte ordered all law enforcers to refrain from drinking in public places because they tend to get into trouble.
“Nakakahiya at masagwang makita na may mga pulis na nag-iinuman sa publiko. The job of the police requires the respect of the people, therefore they must do what it takes to gain and maintain public trust,’’ said Año.
He warned that policemen who are seen drinking in public places stand to face administrative charges such as dereliction of duty, insubordination, and gross neglect of duty.
“We cannot have armed policemen walking around in public reeking of alcohol and not in their best state of mind as it implies lack of discipline among our uniformed personnel. Respetuhin ninyo ang tsapa at uniporme ninyo,” he added.
However, Año said the police can instead opt to drink alcoholic beverages in the confines of their own homes or private households “so as not to taint the image of the PNP’’.
“Paano pa makakaresponde sa isang insidente kung hilo na ang pulis dahil sa pag-inom ng alak? Mas mabuti pang sa bahay ninyo na lang kayo uminom para iwas gulo at para hindi rin kayo maasuntohan,” he said.
During the summit, Duterte also directed the police to break off drinking sessions conducted along sidewalks, parks, and other public places as it scares away other people.
Last year, Davao City imposed a liquor ban on its constituents by prohibiting the drinking of liquor along the streets, in parks, parking areas, among other public spaces. (Chito A. Chavez)
