/PNA
MANILA — The military has a long-standing order for personnel against going to disreputable areas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said Thursday.
“Yes. Since a long time ago. When I entered the Army in 1990, May standing rule na off-limits na talaga ang sundalo sa (There is a standing rule that soldiers cannot enter) houses of ill refute and casinos and other gambling areas,” he said when asked if the AFP has an order prohibiting active-duty personnel from drinking in public.
In compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to issue the necessary administrative circular to ensure that cops conduct themselves professionally in public, banning them from drinking in bars, nightclubs, and in public places.
“Si Presidente na mismo ang nagsabi na bawal na uminom ang mga police sa mga bar, pub at mga kalsada. Kasuhan ninyo agad ang sinumang lalabag dito (The President himself said it is prohibited for the police to drink inside bars, pubs, and on the street. Charge violators immediately),” Año said in a news release Wednesday.
The DILG chief 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 said President Duterte is right when he said people lose their respect and trust in policemen and the entire PNP as an organization when they see drunken policemen in public.
