MANILA – Metro Manila police officers especially those deployed in front line duties will undergo a mental health wellness program, the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) said Monday.
In a message to newsmen, NCRPO chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, said the program to be conducted by its Health Service aims to closely monitor the psychological condition of every personnel.
"Being in the frontlines, most of the men chose not to be in close contact with their families anymore to lessen the chances of possible contamination in their homes Our personnel is our most important resource. This is why we want to ensure that they get to have the support that they deserve to fight the unseen enemy. It is our obligation to guarantee that they have enough rest, nourishment and psychological abetment to withstand the challenges ahead." Sinas said.
Last week, a police officer from the Regional Public Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) was shot dead by a distressed fellow police officer.
Executive Master Sgt. Edwin San Joaquin, 47, was reportedly shot by a fellow policeman who was undergoing therapy for depression.
The suspect, Cpl. Bryan Jorkis Quinagoran, 28, was assigned at the RMFB and is suffering from depressive disorder and has been taking medication for one week already before the incident last April 16.
The victim was speaking to a police radio operator when Quinagoran stepped out of the barracks and shot him.
The case is currently under investigation. (PNA)
