‘15-30’ cops next on chopping block

Director Oscar Albayalde catches police officers of Pasay City PCP 8 sleeping on duty during a surprise inspection on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Photo from a video by MATTHEW REYSIO-CRUZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

After sacking more than a dozen officers last week for sleeping or boozing while on duty, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said he will go after so-called “15-30” policemen, or those who go moonlighting during their shift and appear at their posts only during attendance checks or on paydays.

“Imagine, while they are being paid, these policemen are either staying in their houses, manning their business, or providing security escort services to casino financiers,” Director Oscar Albayalde said in an interview on Wednesday.

The NCRPO recently verified the case of a Police Officer 2 under the Manila Police District who was not reporting for work at his station but continued to receive his P30,867 monthly pay, Albayalde added.

“He did not appear (when I) ordered him to report for work last Tuesday. He is now considered Awol (absent without official leave),” he told the Inquirer.

The concerned MPD station commander will also be investigated following reports that he was tolerating, if not colluding with absentee personnel, he said.

“I want to remind them that if you are suspended, even just for a single day, your productivity bonus (P6,000 to P32,000) for the year will be forfeited,” Albayalde said. —DEXTER CABALZA