Two Angeles City cops sacked for using mobile phones on patrol

Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. (File photo from the PRO3)

ANGELES CITY — Central Luzon Police Director Brig. General Jose Hidalgo Jr. has relieved two police officers here after he caught them using their mobile phones while on patrol duty.

In a statement, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) said the two city police officers were inside a parked patrol car when Hidalgo caught them preoccupied with their mobile phones.

Hidalgo was at first reportedly delighted to see the presence of a patrol car from afar and was trying to locate the whereabouts of the mobile crew to laud them personally.

“But when he (Hidalgo) approached the patrol car, he noticed that the two police officers were inside busy attending to their phones and were not even aware of his presence,” it added.

The PRO3 did not disclose the names and ranks of the two policemen. However, it said they were immediately transferred to other police units.

Hidalgo warned other police officers against ignoring his directive, reminding them to always focus on their job and refrain from using their cellular phones or sleeping while on the job.

He said those caught doing so would be relieved immediately and transferred outside their current provincial or city assignment.

Hidalgo will also sack police community precinct commanders and chiefs of police should their subordinates violate his directive for the fifth time, adding that they should impose discipline within their command areas.

“When policemen are not following orders from their superiors, it means that the latter cannot soundly manage or supervise their subordinates. That’s why I will relieve them and replace them with officials who can discipline their people,” he said.

Hidalgo stressed that police officers must stay focused on their assigned tasks, always observe the environment, and become security-conscious and alert in the field.

“Being inattentive to your operational environment and the surroundings might pose risk or threats on your part and even cost you your lives,” he added. INQ

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