(File photo)
MANILA – Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said he has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to tighten measures that will instill discipline among its ranks in the wake of incidents of violence involving police officers.
"My guidance is for the PNP leadership and chain-of-command to strictly supervise their men and instill discipline in the ranks. Review the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures)/Protocols on police officers who are off duty. Fast-track/expedite resolution of pending cases and continuously account personnel with cases who are stationed at holding units," Año said in a message to the Philippine News Agency when asked about his action to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Aside from this, Año also instructed the PNP to conduct periodic neuropsychiatric tests as well as necessary counseling programs for concerned police officers in all units.
"Enforce the strict entrance procedures for new recruits," he added.
He also said the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has been working overtime in hearing administrative cases of erring police officers.
"(This is now being done) through its regular Napolcom En Banc Sessions that usually lasted beyond office hours even sometimes extending to late hours of the night," he added.
Earlier, PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) inspector general Alfegar Triambulo said he expects the summary dismissal proceedings against Master Sgt. Hensie Zinampan, the police officer involved in the shooting of 52-year-old Lilibeth Valdez in Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon City last May 31, to be concluded in 20 days.
The incident came less than six months after the killing of 52-year-old Sonia Gregorio and her 25-year-old son Frank Anthony in Paniqui, Tarlac by their neighbor, Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca in December 2020.
Nuezca was dismissed from the service in January and is currently facing criminal charges.
Triambulo said Zinampan waived the filing of his answer in the pre-charge investigation, terminating the phase and giving way to the actual summary dismissal proceedings.
PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the force is studying the regular conduct of neuropsychiatric tests among policemen following recent gruesome killings perpetrated by policemen.
At present, Eleazar said psychiatric tests are only being required for policemen applying for promotion and those who are going on schooling. (PNA)
