ILOILO CITY – The Police Regional Office-6 has urged the Philippine National Police to issue guidelines on the proper uniform of policemen assigned to maritime patrols following the death of a police officer last week.
MARITIME police conduct search and retrieval operation on a police officer who fell off a patrol boat while chasing illegal fishermen in Guimaras last week. (PNP/Iloilo Maritime Police)
“There should be a standard attire,” said Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, PRO-6 director.
Last Oct. 16, Police Staff Sgt. Mechael Gatinao fell overboard in a patrol boat chasing illegal fishermen off the coast of Nueva Valencia town in Guimaras province. His body washed ashore two days later on Oct. 18 in Sibunag town in Guimaras.
Wanky said in a press conference on Monday, Oct. 21, that Gatinao did not wear a life jacket.
He said that the 42-year-old policemen would have likely survived the incident if he was wearing a life jacket.
Wanky is hoping the PNP national headquarters will release a guideline as soon as possible to prevent similar incidents.
The PRO-6 is looking into possibility of filing administrative complaints against the hierarchy of the Nueva Valencia Municipal Police Station over the death of Gatinao.
Wanky said they are studying who can face cases for their lapses that resulted in the death of Gatinao who died while on duty.
The PRO-6 is extending aid to the family of Gatinao.