ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SCALAWAG COPS

Chief Supt. Debold Sinas, PRO 7’s new director, to name cops who will test positive for drug use, encourages the public to take pictures of erring policemen

On his first day as director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, Chief Supt. Debold Sinas declared that police officers who will test positive in a random drug test will be named.

Sinas said that he will release the names for the public to know who among the police use illegal drugs.

“Akong ihatag (ang mga pangalan). Secret ba to? Para mahibaw-an ninyo ang mga adik na pulis (I’ll give the names. It’s not a secret, right? So the public will know who among the police officers are addicts),” Sinas said.

At least 74 key officials, including city directors and provincial directors in the region, already underwent a random drug test.

Results of the drug test will be released within the week.

Sinas said that those who will test positive will undergo a confirmatory test. If the confirmatory test will still be positive, the police officer will be relieved and assigned at the admin holding unit to await dismissal from service.

Sinas said that new Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde ordered internal cleansing to be a priority.

“If we are the ones who’ll enforce the law then we should be ones to follow it first. Di kay kami mang-dakop karon niya ugma kami nasad ang dakpon,” Sinas said.

He also encouraged the public to take pictures of erring cops. That way, it will be easy for them to conduct an investigation, he said.

“Mas guwapo kon naa kay picture. Kon mag text lang ka sa pangalan, sayon ra kaayong i-deny (It’s better to have a picture. If you just text his name, he can easily deny an allegation),” he told reporters.

During his first command conference yesterday morning, he reminded his subordinates to stay away from illegal activities, using cell phone for entertainment and avoid sleeping while on duty.

Sinas also reoriented PRO 7 officials on Albayalde’s rules, some of which remind cops on duty to be in proper uniform and to be courteous to people seeking assistance, and shun bribery and moonlighting, such as driving a public utility vehicle.

Albayalde’s rules also reminded the cops not to abandon their post, drink liquor, enter gambling houses, urinate in public, smoke and use vulgar language.

Last January, 10 police officers of Toledo City Police Station were relieved after they were discovered to have abandoned the police station, leaving the desk officer alone.