Cops, army support Duterte’s call in banning uniformed men in bars

THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 and the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army support the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to disallow policemen and military personnel to enter bars, nightclubs, and any public places.

On January 8, Duterte prohibited members of the police and military from drinking in public places, in an effort to stop them from being involved in trouble when they get drunk.

The following day, Director General Oscar Albayalde, chief of Philippine National Police (PNP), specifically declared that all police personnel are strictly off limits in nightclubs, beer gardens, karaoke bars, and pubs, including establishments of ill-repute, illegal gambling dens and other places devoted to vices.

The violation is tantamount to grave misconduct that is punishable by dismissal from the service, Albayalde said.

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, director of PRO-6, said he has ordered the immediate dissemination of such policy to ensure maximum compliance among the police personnel in the region.

Police officers who will violate the order will be sanctioned, he added.

The President’s directive to police personnel not to enter bars and nightclubs is just but consistent with the law on the Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Bulalacao said.

As public officials and employees, we need to exemplify decency and moral ascendancy in order to gain respect from the people whom we have sworn to serve and protect, he added.

This was already part of my advocacy, he said, adding that, “as a matter of policy, the PNP has long been prohibiting PNP members from going to places of illrepute and gambling dens except during legitimate police operations.”

“I even personally visit or inspect police stations, and always emphasized among police personnel to live a simple lifestyle, to

refrain from alcohol and other vices and to be loyal to their spouses as these will ensure their success and effectiveness as public servants and future leaders,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Romeo Baleros, officer-in-charge of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said they will abide and support the President in his directive for the good of the PNP organization.

He is always thinking for the good of our nation, he added.

For his part, Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, said he also supports the said directive.

This will definitely minimize or prevent potential misbehavior of troops in said places, Arevalo said.

“This is not the first. We have a similar directive when the President prohibited the military to enter in casinos,” he said./gym