Police Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), ordered the investigation into a number of police commanders in Metro Manila for various violations of their men including unmanned posts and playing games on cellular phones while on duty.

Aberin issued the order after two-day surprise red teaming operations across the metropolis as part of the monitoring and assessment if the crime prevention and law enforcement guidelines are properly implemented on the ground.

“We must step up with our crime prevention and solution efforts.  I expect police commanders to be present, aware, and accountable for their men. Discipline begins at the top,” said Aberin.

Police have been employing red teaming to test and improve police operations to identify potential weaknesses or vulnerabilities. This includes simulation of peace and order challenges and performance evaluation.

In the case of the two-day Red Teaming in the NCRPO personally initiated by Aberin, some of the focuses were on assessment of the presence of duty personnel, operational readiness, and compliance with deployment directives, particularly in places of convergence and areas frequented by foreign nationals.

Aberin said while a significant number of police assistance desks (PADs), outposts, and visibility patrols were found compliant and properly manned, a pattern of lapses and violations emerged over the two-day operation.

Among them are unmanned PADs and abandoned posts; single postings, in violation of deployment protocols; use of cellular phones while on duty, including playing games; lack of visible police presence in high-traffic public areas.

As a result, Aberin disclosed that numerous police commanders are now under investigation for failing to supervise their patrollers who were found with the aforementioned deficiencies.  

Warning

Aberin said that police commanders who will be found remiss will be immediately removed from their posts.

“On the other hand, personnel who were found absent in posts, those unjustifiably using their cellular phones while on duty and those with violations also face investigation,” said Aberin.

“Let this serve as a warning and an example—complacency and failure of supervision will be met with the heaviest penalties. Discipline begins at the top, and accountability must be absolute,” he added.

Aberin then instructed that junior officers from mobile units be deployed to temporarily fill the vacated posts, ensuring that police visibility remains uninterrupted while instilling a higher standard of professionalism and vigilance.

SOP 

Aberin emphasized that inspections will not be a one-time effort but will become part of standard operational procedure (SOP)—with discipline, accountability, and police visibility being the non-negotiable pillars of the NCRPO’s operational integrity.

He said the two-day Red Teaming operation now stands as a model for internal monitoring to demonstrate the NCRPO’s resolve to cleanse its ranks, uphold public trust, and deliver competent police service across Metro Manila.