15 Manila cops draw flak, sacked for sleeping on duty

The Manila Police District (MPD) has assured the public that it will not tolerate wrongdoings among its rank after 15 night shift police officers were photographed sleeping while on duty were relieved from their posts at the Gagalangin Police Community Precinct (PCP) in Tondo, Manila.

The relieved cops were identified as PCP Commander Senior Inspector 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.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Oscar Albayalde said a certain John reported to his office 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.

MPD Spokesperson Erwin Margarejo said the cops will be facing administrative charges and will undergo reorientation and values formation seminars.

“MPD will not tolerate this because our mandate is to serve and protect 24 hours,” he told the Manila Bulletin.

“As night shift duty cops, they have to respond when they are needed.”

Men from MPD Public Safety Battalion have been assigned to Gagalangin PCP to fill in the position of their relieved colleagues.