Albayalde reminds cops: No drinking in public or face dismissal

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday reminded police officers about the existing rules and regulations prohibiting them from bars, nightclubs ,and similar public drinking places and establishments.

This after President Rodrigo Duterte, during the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Barangay Summit on Peace and Order Tuesday, ordered all law enforcers to refrain from drinking in public places.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday ordered the PNP to ban its personnel from drinking in bars and similar establishments.

Albayalde specifically declared nightclubs, beer gardens, karaoke bars, and pubs as strictly off-limits to all PNP personnel, as well as establishments of ill-repute, illegal gambling dens and other places devoted to vices.

He cited Section 3.1 of the PNP Ethical Doctrine which states that “PNP members shall adhere to high standards of morality and decency and shall set good examples for others to follow.”

“In no instance during their terms of office, among other things, shall they be involved as owners, operators, managers or investors in any house of ill-repute or illegal gambling den or other places devoted to vices, nor they shall patronize such places unless on official duty, and tolerate operations of such establishments in their respective areas of responsibilities,” the provision reads.

The PNP chief said violators will face grave misconduct charges which is punishable by dismissal from the service.

He added that police personnel should conduct themselves properly at all times in keeping with the rules and regulations of the organization and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards.

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said the penalties for the commission of acts/practices in violation of the PNP Ethical Doctrine shall be in accordance with the Revised Penal Code, RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft Practices Act and other specials laws.

He added that for acts or omissions which merely require administrative sanctions, the applicable punishments as provided for the rules and regulations promulgated by the PNP, NAPOLCOM, the Civil Service Commission and DILG shall be applied. — Amita Legaspi/BM, GMA News