Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Monday warned he will hold station and police community precinct commanders responsible for any misconduct committed by their men—especially those caught sleeping while on duty.
Estrada has ordered the Manila Police District to look into the administrative liabilities of the 15 night shift police officers who were photographed sleeping while on duty at the Gagalangin Police Community Precinct in Tondo last week.
“It was such a disappointment. We’ve been trying very hard to raise the image of our police force, the ‘Manila’s Finest’, and yet we hear of these incidents,” Estrada said.
After consulting with MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, Estrada announced station commanders and PCP chiefs will be the first ones to be made to explain if similar incidents will occur in the future.
“You’re the commanding officer. You should control and discipline your men, and that failure to do so would mean you’re not competent enough to hold your post. I tell you, you will be held liable,” Estrada warned.
Under Section 51 of Republic Act 6975, as amended by Section 64 of RA 8551, governors and mayors have administrative and supervisory control over the local police units as deputized representatives of the National Police Commission.
All 15 policemen of Gagalangin PCP have been temporarily transferred to the National Capital Regional Police Office headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig while under investigation, according to Senior Supt. Danilo Macerin, chief of the directorial staff of MPD.
They were temporarily replaced by members of the MPD Public Safety Battalion.
Based on their initial inquiry, Macerin clarified only four of the 15 policemen were actually seen and photographed sleeping inside the PCP headquarters.
“But just the same, they will be made to explain, all of them,” Macerin pointed out. “It is up to our pre-charge investigation unit what to make of them, and what charges should be filed against them.”
It also up to NCRPO chief Oscar Albayalde if he will allow the policemen-respondents to go back to MPD after the investigation, he explained.
“As commanders, you must have control over your men. If they are on duty, they must not be sleeping while on duty,” Macerin said as he supported Estrada’s warning to station and PCP chiefs.
Ordered relieved were PCP Commander Senior Insp. Anthony Co, PO3 Nelson DG. Geronimo, PO3 Avelino T. Guibao, Jr., PO3 Geronimo M. Ramo, PO2 Carlito V. Dela Cruz, PO1 Percival F. Doroja, PO1 Aladin P. Arguelles, PO1 Arnold S. Regala, PO1 Cathlyn C. Cauan, PO1 Joe Ronie A. Obillo, PO1 Romeo M. Balagtas, Jr., PO1 Carlo L. Farmis, PO1 Janette G. Banatao, PO1 Leo Dave A. Legaspi and PO1 Beatriz R. Danguilan.
According to news reports, a certain “John” reported to NCRPO that on August 23, he sought assistance from Gagalangin PCP after his motorcycle was stolen, but nobody entertained him because the officers on duty were in deep slumber.
The complainant instead took photos of the policemen and left. The photographs have gone viral on social media.