Circular readied banning cops from drinking in public

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ban police officers from drinking in public.

Año directed the PNP to issue the necessary administrative circular in response to President Duterte’s statement banning members of the police force from drinking in public places such as bars and nightclubs.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said they came out with a directive that karaoke bars, nightclubs, pubs and other public places are off limits to policemen.

“This is a specific directive of the Chief Executive, violation of which is tantamount to grave misconduct that is punishable by dismissal from the service,” he said.

Albayalde said drinking in public especially when in uniform is a violation of their code of professional conduct and ethical standards.

“We have several directives like that in the past,” he said.

He said policemen caught drinking in public places face administrative sanctions.

In a speech Tuesday, Duterte ordered all lawmen to refrain from drinking in public because they tend to get into trouble.

Año warned policemen who are caught drunk will face administrative sanctions for dereliction of duty, insubordination, and gross neglect of duty, adding it is embarrassing to see lawmen intoxicated in public.

“The job of the police requires the respect of the people, therefore they must do what it takes to gain and maintain public trust,” he said.

Año advised policemen who are habitual drinkers to go home and drink moderately.

“We cannot have armed policemen walking around in public reeking of alcohol and not in their best state of mind as it implies lack of discipline among our uniformed personnel,” he said.