By Lilian Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 has warned all its personnel to stay away from nightclubs, bars and other similar places dedicated to vices even during off-duty hours or breaks.
Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales, Director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-11, said the ban is part of the internal cleansing program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Philippine National Police (PNP).
He ordered a crackdown against police officers who defy the directives. Morales will also make police commanders answer for their men caught in prohibited places.
All police personnel is limited to drink alcohol and other intoxicating drinks inside their homes.
“I am worried for them,” Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said in jest when sought for her reaction on the ban.
She, however, advised policemen to follow the directive of the national government and the PNP not to drink in public places.
“They should follow or they will be made to answer. They better follow the directive,” Sara added.
On Thursday, Morales reiterated the directives issued by PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde for all police personnel to stay away from “places devoted to vices” like karaoke bars, beer gardens nightclubs, public drinking places and other similar establishments, including gambling dens.
Morales said it is better for police personnel to go to family-oriented entertainment places instead of bars.
“If you are off- duty, why don’t you go to malls and tag your wife and children with you? In a kind of work that we have, quality time with the family is very important. Why not spent it with them?” he said.
Morales said it is a directive coming from President Rodrigo Duterte and the violation is tantamount to Grave Misconduct that is punishable by dismissal from the service.
He added that all police personnel should have decorum, discipline at all times in keeping with the rules and regulations of the PNP and its Ethical Doctrine and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards.
