(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte issued a stern warning to the police and the military all over the country not to enter bars, pubs and other public drinking places.
During his speech on Tuesday, January 8, on the Barangay Summit on Peace and Order at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, the President said that policemen and soldiers should not be involved in drinking sprees inside such places.
“Kaya ‘yang mga pulis — kayong mga pulis, I’m warning you, do not drink in public,” Duterte said.
“Sa Davao pinagbawalan ko ‘yan pati kayo na ngayon. All over the Philippines, you do not enter into drinking places.”
“Law enforcement officers and soldiers having drinking spree in beer houses usually results in violent confrontations.” he said.
The President immediately gave instructions to implement this to the Philippine National Police. This was sent through Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M Año.
-PNP chief reminds cops of existing laws barring them from entering bars, gambling dens –
Upon receiving the instructions, PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde reiterated anew existing rules and regulations prohibiting police personnel from bars, nightclubs and similar public drinking places and establishments.
Albayalde specifically declared nightclubs, beer gardens, karaoke bars, and pubs, as strictly off limits to all PNP personnel, including establishments of ill-repute, illegal gambling dens and other places devoted to vices.
“This is a specific directive of the Chief Executive, violation of which is tantamount to Grave Misconduct that is punishable by dismissal from the service,” Albayalde said.
He advised police personnel to conduct themselves properly at all times in keeping with the rules and regulations of the organization in accord with the PNP Ethical Doctrine and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards.
-Albayalde: Cops should adhere to high standards of morality and decency –
Albayalde cited Section 3.1 of the PNP Ethical Doctrine that 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.”
PNP Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Benigno B Durana Jr., said that all policemen who would be found to have violated this law will be penalized in accordance with law, specifically the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act 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.
“For acts or omissions which merely require administrative sanctions, the applicable punishments as provided for the rules and regulations promulgated by the PNP, NAPOLCOM. Civil Service Commission and DILG shall be applied,” Durana said.
(with a report from Mar Gabriel, Eagle News Service reporter)
