Gamboa orders ‘automatic’ relief of cops caught playing golf – Sinas

MANILA, Philippines — Policemen who will be caught – even on photographs – playing golf during office hours will be “automatically relieved” from their post.

This was the order of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas.

“Kagaya sa instruction ni Chief PNP, ‘pag may picture, automatic relieved agad siya (pulis),” Sinas said during a media briefing on Friday.

(As with the instruction of the PNP Chief, if there is picture, the cop will be automatically relieved.)

Such policy, Sinas said, was designed so policemen could focus on their work.

Sinas also encouraged the public to help with its crackdown on police officers who play golf during office hours.

“I’d like to encourage the public… ‘pag may nakita kayong pulis na kilala niyong pulis na naglalaro o pumasok ng mga golf courses anytime at may dala-dalang golf bag, at kilala niyong pulis, picture-an niyo lang po, ipadala n’yo sa mga hotlines natin at siguradong aaksyunan po natin”  Sinas said.

(I’d like to encourage the public… if you see a cop you know playing golf or entering golf courses carrying a golf bag, please take a photo and send it to our hotlines and we will surely act on them.)

On Thursday, Sinas announced the resumption of their crackdown on policemen playing golf while on duty after Gamboa relieved three senior Central Visayas police officers for playing golf during office hours.

Gamboa assured that due process will be observed in the investigation of the policemen’s case.

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.

Edited by KGA