DILG orders tighter police discipline

Interior and Local Governments Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strictly supervise its men and instill discipline in the ranks.

Año issued the order in the wake of incidents of violence involving police officers.

He urged a review of the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures)/Protocols on police officers who are off duty, fast-tracking resolution of pending cases and accounting of personnel with cases who are stationed at holding units.

Año also instructed the PNP to conduct periodic neuropsychiatric tests as well as necessary counseling programs for concerned police officers in all units.

“Enforce the strict entrance procedures for new recruits,” he added.

He said the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has been working overtime in hearing administrative cases of erring police officers.

“This is now being done through its regular Napolcom en banc Sessions that usually lasted beyond office hours even sometimes extending to late hours of the night,” he added.

Meanwhile, the PNP Internal Affairs Service inspector general Alfegar Triambulo said he expects the summary dismissal proceedings against Master Sgt. Hensie Zinampan, the police officer involved in the shooting of 52-year-old Lilibeth Valdez in Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon City last 31 May 2021 to be concluded in 20 days.

The incident came less than six months after the killing of 52-year-old Sonia Gregorio and her 25-year-old son Frank Anthony in Paniqui, Tarlac by their neighbor, Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca in December last year.

Nuezca was dismissed from the service in January and is currently facing criminal charges.