After Duterte’s directive, Albayalde reminds cops to stay out of bars

Updated (7:54 p.m.)

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday said he has issued a warning to the police against drinking in public places.

This was after President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to the police and military to refrain from drinking in public places, citing that drunk law enforcers tend to be involved in trouble.

READ: Duterte prohibits cops from drinking in public places

“Meron na tayong several directives sa ganyan even in the past. Paulit ulit na rin nating sinasabi sa ating kapulisan na bawal kami na uminom sa mga bars, sa mga public places na ganyan,” Albayalde told reporters in Quiapo Church.

(We have several directives like that. We are just repeating our message to policemen that we cannot drink in bars or public drinking places.)

“Besides that, para maremind ‘yung ating kapulisan nagpalabas kami ulit ng direktiba reminding them na bawal mag-inom sa labas, bawal mag-inom,bawal mag-sugal,” he added.

(To remind our police officers, we released a new directive reminding them that they cannot drink or gamble in public places.)

Albayalde said cops caught violating the  directive will be charged administratively and may face suspension.

The same punishment may also be meted out to police officers caught inside “establishments of ill-repute, illegal gambling dens, and other places devoted to vices,” he said.

According to Albayalde, the police should always observe the rules and regulations of the agency in keeping with the PNP Ethical Doctrine and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards.

He cited Section 3.1 of the PNP Ethical Doctrine, which says that members of the PNP “shall adhere to high standards of morality and decency and shall set good examples for others to follow.”

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said violators may face administrative sanctions and charges in violation of the Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft Practices Act and other laws.

In a speech on Tuesday, Duterte said he will ban police from entering bars, just like what he did in Davao when he was still the City mayor.

“Kayong mga pulis, I’m warning you, do not drink in public. Sa Davao pinagbawalan ko ‘yan , ngayon all over the Philippines (I am warning policemen. Do not drink in public. I banned that in Davao, now the ban  is all over the Philippines). Do not enter into drinking places,” Duterte said.  /ee