PNP warns: Be cautious when scolding subordinates

MANILA, Philippines — Police officials should exercise caution when berating their errant subordinates or they could end up as casualties.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde gave this reminder to other police officers after a Special Action Force (SAF) commando shot dead his superior.

M/Sgt. Sanwright Lobhoy killed his immediate supervisor, Maj. Emerson Palomares, during a heated confrontation in the office of the SAF’s 125th Special Action Company at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Lobhoy killed Palomares, who was berating him for his lack of support for his partner and their children.

To avoid a similar incident from happening, Albayalde said police officials should not take any chances and and put in place security protocols before berating their personnel.

“If you are trying to castigate somebody, especially those with offenses, you should also be careful, being the senior officer,” he said.

As a precaution, Albayalde said police officials should ensure that their personnel are unarmed before giving them a verbal beating.

Albayalde, known for his strictness in dealing with members of the police force, said an official’s security aide should always be present when they admonish personnel who committed wrongdoings.

Albayalde cited the siege of Camp Cawa-Cawa in January 1989 wherein a rogue police officer, Patrolman Rizal Alih, and his men held hostage the camp’s ranking officer, Brig. Gen. Eduardo Batalla, for three days.

Batalla made a decision to detain Alih for his alleged involvement in the murder of then mayor Cesar Climaco of Zamboanga City but the police officer refused to cooperate.

A heated exchange ensued and Alih’s companions overpowered Batalla and his security escorts.