84 cops relieved for tardiness, abandoning posts during the holidays

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—At least 84 policemen were relieved from their posts after either arriving late in or abandoning their posts during the holiday season, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief said.

Police Director Carmelo Valmoria, NCRPO head, told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview that 84 of the 3,000 policemen assigned to secure some parts of Metro Manila at the start of the holiday revelries failed to do the job expected of them.

From December 16 until January 6, Valmoria said the investigation of the inspection teams they “secretly created” to monitor the performance of 3,000 policemen yielded the non-compliance of 84 erring cops.

In December last year, Director General Alan Purisima, Philippine National Police chief, announced that police forces nationwide will not be taking their breaks unlike in previous years to prevent crimes amid the yuletide season.

The relieved policemen came from each police district of Metro Manila, from Quezon City Police District, Manila Police District, Southern Police District, Eastern Police District and Northern Police District.

Contrary to previous reports that 227 were sacked from their posts, Valmoria clarified that only 84 have been found slacking off from work.

“Masyadong marami ‘yung 227 (The number 227 is too much). Based on our records, only 84 were relieved,” he explained.

Valmoria said administrative charges, particularly neglect of duty, will be slapped against the cops.

“While we look into the probable cause in each case of these policemen, they will be relieved from their posts. Balik kampo muna sila (They’d be back to camp first),” he said.

The camp Valmoria was pertaining to is the NCRPO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. The policemen will be transferred there for re-training.

“We cannot tolerate this. The task given to them is very clear: Secure the areas assigned to them at all times,” said Valmoria.

If proven that they are guilty of the charges, the NCRPO chief said the penalties they might have to face are suspension from their posts and forfeiture of salaries and bonuses during their suspension.

“This should serve as a strong message to our personnel that when we ask them to do their job, they must do it and they must do it well,” he added.