By Aaron Recuenco
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has further intensified its campaign against sleepyheads among its ranks by tasking its regional commanders to initiate more surprise inspections on police stations and even mobile patrol cars.
PNP spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said that the inspecting teams, which he calls "Red Teams," will also check the proper wearing of uniforms and even issues on human rights.
Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao
(PNP / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Their (Red Teams) job is to inspect, to check if what the policemen are doing in the performance of their duties are in accordance with our guidelines," said Bulalacao.
He then particularly cited the Police Operation Procedures which serves as the bible of the policemen in the conduct of their duties.and responsibilities.
The PNP has been very aggressive in improving the image of the organization after the disastrous result of its "war on drugs" campaign that elicited calls from human rights groups.
Earlier, Director Oscar Albayalde, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), sacked five police officials and reprimanded more than 20 others whom he caught sleeping while on duty.
In initiating surprise inspections, Albayalde explained that policemen should always be awake and alert to stop criminals early in its tracks.
"We are paid to provide security. With full support from the government, we have no reason not to perform our duty well," said Albayalde, citing the recent big increase in salaries of policemen.
While the Red Teams are supposed to be coming from the National Headquarters at Camp Crame, Bulalacao said regional directors are also enjoined to conduct inspections themselves.
"The Chief PNP, Director General Ronald dela Rosa, said that regional directors should come up with their own strategy on how they will implement our guidelines and policies without breaking the law," said Bulalacao.
Besides, he said, the PNP leadership do not have enough resources to finance the expenses of Red Teams in all parts of the country.
"There is only one purpose for this--which is to closely supervise the operations of the PNP in the lower level," said Bulalacao.