Sinas warns cops of surprise visits

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has warned its personnel that they will face appropriate charges if found sleeping, texting or not in uniform while on duty during surprise inspections.

PRO-7 Chief Debold Sinas, in a press conference, told reporters that after he assumed office, he already started roving the different police stations for random inspections.

He said that those police stations in the city that he had visited have been adhering to the policies of proper uniform and proper conduct.

He said that he hasn't caught anyone sleeping yet or committing any other unlikely behavior.

"So far, reactive man sila kasi ang first visit ko is announced.  Di ko moanha nga bigla, basin ako pud ang ma-shock. Mao sa gabii motuyok ko three or four stations. Sa karon, wala ko'y nakita nga natulog diri. Ang ako inspection is erratic," Sinas said.

He added that he is doing the inspections himself despite covert cops that monitor erring ones to reassure himself that his directives are being followed conscientiously.

"Kung gusto nimo ma-check, go check it yourself. Naa "red team" pud, but I want to assure myself nga akong instructions are covered," he said.

He added that this is also a form of instilling discipline among cops to follow rules even with less supervision.

Sinas said that if a cop is caught sleeping, he will give him a chance to explain before the necessary consequences.

"Kahibaw na na sila nga there will be a regular and random inspection. Kasuhan. Pukawon and mag-explain basin naa reason. Tagaan nato chance," he said.

It can be recalled that in December last year, during the random inspection of former Cebu Provincial Police Officer Director Edgar Alan Okubo, 12 cops were relieved from their post after it was found out that they had an absence without official leave.

The Talisay Police Station, which is considered as one of the priority cities in the province, was only left with half of its manpower.  (FREEMAN)