3 senior cops in C. Visayas relieved for playing golf on office hours

MANILA, Philippines — Playtime is over for three senior police officers assigned at Central Visayas police after they were ordered relieved for violating golf policies of country’s police force.

In a press conference on Thursday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa identified the relieved police officers as Col. Dennis Artil, Lt. Col. Richard Bad-Ang, and Lt. Col. Glenn Mayam.

Gamboa said the policemen were spotted playing golf “when they are bored” during office hours and weekdays.

“I have ordered last night the relief of three senior police officers of Central Visayas for violating my policy on not playing golf during weekdays,” Gamboa said.

“They were playing there (golf course) Tuesdays and Wednesdays and kung bored sila (if they are bored) they are playing on Wednesdays. That is why I have enough basis why they should be relieved,” he added.

Gamboa was also wary that the promotion of senior police officers, who have full colonel positions, might be affected after the police officers violated PNP’s strict policy on playing golf.

Artil was assigned as Central Visayas police’s Regional Comptroller, Bad-Ang was the chief of Central Visayas’ PNP finance service and Mayam was assigned as head of Central Visayas police Drug Enforcement Group.

The PNP’s top official assured that they will observe due process as the policemen’s case is still under investigation.

The relieved policemen were reassigned to Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit at Camp Crame while investigation is ongoing.

Under Gamboa’s policy, police officers are only allowed to play golf during weekends or holidays so that it would not interfere with their work.

Gamboa also clarified that he allowed police officers to play at the driving range in a few golf courses, but only “after office hours.”

One-strike police, warning

The PNP chief said he already warned Central Visayas police chief Brig. Gen. Valeriano De Leon over the relief of the three police officers.

“Strike one na si (Strike one is placed over) regional 7 – Central Visayas police director,” Gamboa said.

But Gamboa said the warning does not “necessarily mean that he will relieve the top police officer of Central Visayas police.

“Hindi ako nag-set ng parameters (I won’t set parameters) so that everybody will be on their toes. Not necessarily na mag-one-strike ka bago kita i-relieve (you won’t necessarily be relieved just because you had one strike),” he said.