PNP underscores need for regular mental heath screening for all cops

Facade of the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame. Image from pnp.gov.ph website

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday stressed the importance of regularly monitoring the mental health of all police personnel after a reportedly drunk police officer went berserk at the headquarters of the Manila Police District (MPD) late Friday night and ended up killing a colleague.

“This recent incident at MPD, along with the previous ones, highlights the need for us to closely look into the overall state of our men,” said PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

 “Hindi nagtatapos sa kung paano nila ginagawa ang kanilang trabaho, kasama dito ang pagtingin sa kanilang physical, emotional at lalo na ang kanilang mental state,” he added.

 (It doesn’t end with how they carry out their work, it includes looking at their physical, emotional and especially their mental state.)

Prior to the MPD incident, two other police officers were caught on camera shooting their neighbors dead in Tarlac and Quezon City due to personal squabbles.

Eleazar earlier said that he was considering conducting a psychiatric – psychological exam at least every three years as part of the effort to further improve the general welfare of PNP personnel, especially those involved in ground operations.

Eleazar assured that the MPD is already conducting a thorough investigation of the incident. 

Kailangan alamin ng MPD ang tunay na dahilan, bukod sa kalasingan, kung bakit nag-amok at namaril itong si PEMS Reynante Dipasupil ng kanyang mga kabaro,” Eleazar said.

(The MPD needs to find out the real reason, apart from drunkenness, why PEMS Reynante went on a rampage and shot his colleagues.)

Dipasupil was also killed in an ensuing shootout with fellow police officers.

“The investigation I ordered on the unfortunate incident at the Manila Police District goes beyond the shooting as this includes other aspects such as possible mental health issues of all our personnel,” he added.

On June 1, a drunk police officer was arrested in Quezon City after he shot and killed his 52 year-old neighbor.

A day before, on May 31, another “drunk” cop also allegedly shot a fellow policeman after losing in an arm wrestling bout in Quezon City.

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