PNP sets more surprise visits to catch erring cops

INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Policemen should brace for more surprise inspections as the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) is set to visit more police stations in light of the recent shakeup in Metro Manila.

The move comes after National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde ordered the relief of policemen caught sleeping and drinking while on duty.

READ: Albayalde sacks chiefs of sleeping, drinking cops

Chief Superintendent Leo Angelo Leuterio, IAS acting deputy inspector general, said IAS Chief Inspectpr General Alfegar Triambulo already approved the deployment of personnel for surprise inspections in Metro Manila.

While lamenting the “negative issues” on the PNP, Leuterio assured the public that majority of policemen were doing their jobs properly.

“Despite all these negative issues, I can assure you that the greater number of PNP personnel are doing their duties and their jobs with dedication and commitment,” he added.

Leuterio said due process would be observed with erring policemen, following reports that some of the sleeping lawmen were at the police precincts beyond their duty schedules to finish reports.

“That is the reason for an investigation and that is the reason why we stick to due process. These people would be given a chance to be heard,” he said.

“Those are justifiable circumstance which may exempt them from punishment but then we have to observe due process and investigate them,” he added.

Once cleared from any liabilities, Leuterio said the sacked police chiefs and policemen would be reinstated and their salaries released. /cbb