Cops banned from drinking in PNP stations, public areas

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- The regional police office here has issued a memorandum banning policemen from drinking in police stations or its vicinity or adjacent establishments while on duty, and prohibited from carrying firearms while drinking.

Despite the existence of orders previously disseminated for strict implementation and compliance, the regional police said it was disturbing that some cops committed serious offenses in public view in gross violations of the directives.

This, after a shooting incident at Tinoc, Ifugao on July 2, wherein PO1 Mark Davis B. Dulnuan allegedly shot to death his two colleagues PO1 Leobinep B. Binwihan and PO1 Tom Y. Udan while injuring PO1 Dexter Catiling, all members of the 2nd Company of the Regional Public Safety Battalion.

Also shot dead during the incident were civilians Benjamin Madino Jr and Marcial Calayen, both residents of Tinoc, Ifugao.

These malpractices,a police statement said, caused embarrassment to the PNP tarnishing its integrated transformation program.

Drinking in PNP stations or offices and nearby establishments by policemen while carrying firearms while drinking (on or off- duty), are strictly prohibited.

These include places like nightclubs, beer joints, disco pubs, cockpits and other similar public places, where liquor is served or cockfights are staged, which are considered as off-limits to PNP personnel, except in cases where their presence is required by official duties as authorized by appropriate letter orders.

All chiefs of offices and other superior officers from the command group down to the lowest level are directed to strictly supervise their respective personnel, the statement said.

In cases where violation of the directives that result in a shooting incident, the immediate superior officer of the violator, and the chief of police shall be relieved from their positions if they are found to be remiss in their duties to enforce the directive.

They could also be administratively charged for neglect of duty pursuant to National Police Commission memorandum circular 2007-001 or under the principles of “Command Responsibility” as enunciated by executive order No. 226, series of 1995, or any appropriate case.

The Camp Dangwa memorandum meanwhile directed provincial police directors, Baguio City police chief, battalion commanders of Regional Public Safety Battalion to organize teams to see to it that these instructions are carried out to prevent similar cases from happening in the future.