Cops who smoke in public face sanctions, says NCRPO

NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Supt. Alan Purisima yesterday reiterated his earlier directive to his men to refrain from smoking in public and to observe proper decorum while on duty. He also vowed to slap violators with sanctions.

According to Purisima, policemen are not exempted from the Metro-wide smoking ban which will be strictly implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Apart from the MMDA campaign which will take effect on July 1, Purisima said that the rules against smoking in public places while in police uniform and in performance of public duty are also stipulated in Republic Act 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003) and the National Police Commission’s Memorandum Circular 97-017.

He directed district directors to designate a smoking area in all Metro police stations which should be equipped with signs and trash bins.

“The designated areas must be outside the police station and preferably not in public view. Comfort rooms of police units/
offices are not smoking areas,” he said.

In Manila, Mayor Alfredo Lim announced the closure of 27 establishments for violating an ordinance which bans the sale of alcohol within 100 meters of any school.

Lim made the announcement in Tuesday’s meeting with Task Force Save School, a group composed of school officials from De La Salle University, the College of St. Benilde and St. Scholastica’s College, among others.

In a statement, the mayor reiterated that the ordinance banning the sale of liquor within the immediate vicinity of schools and universities was continuously being implemented in the city.

“Establishments cannot [use] for their defense the permits issued to them. These permits are revocable the moment they violate the regulations set by the city to govern their operations,” Lim said.

At the same time, he ordered local city officials to make sure that the closed establishments would remain shut as some may try to apply for permits under a different business name. With Jaymee T. Gamil