DILG chief asks PNP to ban cops from drinking in public places

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to issue an administrative circular that would prohibit policemen from drinking in public places.

“Si Presidente na mismo ang nagsabi na bawal na uminom ang mga police sa mga bar, pub at mga kalsada. Kasuhan ninyo agad ang sinumang lalabag dito,” Año said in a statement.

(It was the President himself who said that the police should not be seen drinking in bars, pubs, and on the streets. File a case immediately against cops violating the directive.)

Año’s statement was issued after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered law enforcers to refrain from drinking in public places as drunk law enforcers tend to be involved in trouble.

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

READ: Duterte prohibits cops from drinking in public places

Año added that police officers seen drinking in public paces may “face administrative charges such as dereliction of duty, insubordination and gross neglect of duty.”

“We cannot have armed policemen walking around in public reeking of alcohol and not in their best state of mind as it implies lack of discipline among our uniformed personnel. Respetuhin ninyo ang tsapa at uniporme ninyo (Respect your uniform),” he said.

Senior PNP officials, starting with PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, should set an example to their fellow policemen, Año said.

The DILG likewise advised law enforcers to drink alcoholic beverages only in private places such as their homes so that the PNP’s name will not be tainted.

“Paano pa makakaresponde sa isang insidente kung hilo na ang pulis dahil sa pag-inom ng alak? Mas mabuti pang sa bahay ninyo na lang kayo uminom para iwas gulo at para hindi rin kayo maasuntohan,” Año said.

(How can they respond to incidents if they are dizzy from alcohol? It is also better to drink at home to avoid trouble.) /ee

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