Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde stands by his decision to reprimand police officers who have criticized him on social media.
“Freedom of expression, they can always express it through the grievances committee, hindi ‘yong magpo-post ka (on social media),” Albayalde said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday.
“What attitude you have that no less than your commander, aatakihin mo at the back. Papaano mo isasama sa giyera or sa operation mo? Baka sila pa ang babaril sa iyo sa likod,” he added.
Albayalde said that only eight of the 23 police officers involved in the posting of criticisms in the Buhay Lespu Facebook page showed up to explain their action.
READ: Albayalde to cops: Good or bad, you’ll be on Facebook
He said that the policemen who have showed-up will be facing cases of conduct unbecoming of a police officer, while those who did not show-up will be considered absent without official leave (AWOL).
“We gave them a chance to explain, but they cannot justify their actions. And they know for a fact that it is not allowed in our organization,” Albayalde said.
“Remember when you are in the uniformed service, there are certain restrictions,” he added.
Albayalde also repeated that the reassignment of the involved police officers to Jolo, Sulu is not a punishment. Rather, he said, the assignment is only fitting as these police officers can now use their courage in fighting crimes there.
“That’s not actually a punishment. Transfer from one unit to another is not a punishment. That is not punitive,” he said.
“Nakita natin sa kanila, matatapang sila eh. So we might assign them to places where we really need them,” he added.
He also defended the practice of transferring reprimanded officers to certain areas in Mindanao.
“Well they’re not actually bad eggs. For example, the more than 300 from NCR (National Capital Region) that we assigned at Basilan, most of them are doing good now in Mindanao,” Albayalde said.
“The comments na nakukuha namin ay they are good investigators. Sanay dito ‘yan eh, sanay dito sa Manila,” he added. /muf