Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año supports the sacking by new PNP Chief Archie Francisco Gamboa of three senior police officers for playing golf while on duty, calling it a “serious breach of discipline.”
“Hindi puwedeng kung sino pa ang inatasang magpatupad ng batas ang siya pang sumusuway sa mga simpleng regulasyon. Police service is an honor and privilege that demands commitment at all times, especially that the PNP’s mandate is public safety and order dahil hindi naman natutulog ang krimen,” Año says.
Banning police officers to play golf during weekdays was one of the first standing directives released by then PNP officer-in-charge and now newly-appointed PNP Chief Archie Francisco Gamboa last October 2019.
Año says that the insubordination of PCol Dennis Artil, PLtCol Richard Bad-ang, and PLtCol Glenn Mayam goes against the PNP’s internal cleansing campaign and cannot be tolerated .
“It was made clear by PNP Chief Gamboa that they are prohibited to play golf during weekends, pero ano ang ginawa nila the complete opposite of that. Hindi tayo papayag na binabalewala ang mga patakaran natin sa PNP,” he says.
According to official reports, the three Central Visayas cops were caught red-handed while playing golf during office hours, one of the several times that they were missing in action.
“Ayon sa mga report, hindi ito ang unang beses na nag-golf sila sa oras ng trabaho. Iimbestgahan namin ito. They will be held accountable for their actions,” he says.
“Habang nagpapakapagod ang mga kapwa nila pulis sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan sa Batangas dahil sa pagsabog ng Taal, sila naman ay naggo-golf, hindi na sila nahiya,” he adds referencing on the hard-working police currently deployed in the crisis-stricken CALABARZON.
The DILG Chief says that the sacking of the three police officers is a proof that the PNP is serious in its internal cleansing efforts.
“Babala ito sa mga pabaya at pasaway na pulis mula sa pinakamababang posisyon hanggang sa pinakamataas. Walang exempted sa mga patakaran sa PNP at masasampolan talaga kayo kapag hindi kayo sumunod,” he says pointing out that there are always newbies that can be hired and trained to be better cops.
He reminds police officers that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is making all ends meet to ensure that their salaries and benefits are augmented. “They should repay that by doing their job diligently for the service of the Filipinos sapagkat hindi naman sila napasok sa PNP para maglaro at magpasasa. Better paygrade means providing better service.”
The said sacked cops are now under investigation for grave misconduct.
