3 on-duty SPD cops caught drinking liquor in headquarters

MANILA, Philippines — Three police officers from the Southern Police District (SPD) have been caught drinking liquor while on duty within their headquarters by no less than their acting district director.

SPD acting director Col. Emmanuel Peralta said he was conducting rounds within the SPD headquarters in Taguig City together with other officers on Sunday when he caught the three in a drinking binge at about 6 p.m.

He identified the policemen as Executive Master Sergeant Dennis Matriano, Cpl. Misael Ruby, and Staff Sergeant Marvin Hipolito, all officers of the SPD Discipline, Law, and Order Section.

Citing information from Peralta, a statement from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Monday said the policemen “yielded a strong smell of alcohol on their breath” when reprimanded.

Confiscated from them were three liters of liquor, five glasses, and “pulutan” or food normally eaten during drinking sessions.

Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, director of NCRPO, ordered that the three accused personnel be disarmed and assigned to SPD control points.

He said the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division is preparing the filing of appropriate administrative cases against the three policemen.

Sinas cited Memorandum Circular 2007-001 of the National Police Commission that “prohibits any police personnel to engage in regulated gambling or game of chance while on duty; to be drunk or disorderly while off duty, or drunk while on duty and in uniform or in recognizable police uniform.”

He said the fact that the accused policemen were from the Discipline, Law, and Order Section of the SPD shows they are fully aware of this directive.

“This should serve as a warning to all. This is a clear act of disobedience and I will not tolerate this kind of action. I will assure that sanctions will be served. More inspections will continue in adherence to our Internal Cleansing Policy,” said Sinas.