CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Two police officers assigned in this province were relieved from their posts and transferred to other police units after being caught using cellular phones while on duty on board a patrol car.
Brig. Gen. Jose S. Hidalgo Jr., regional director of the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3), said on Tuesday he immediately ordered the relief of the two police officers whom he personally caught violating his directive.
He reminded all police personnel to focus on their job while on duty and refrain from using their cellular phones and sleeping while on the post.
“May this also serve as a warning to all our PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel to stay focused on their assigned tasks, scan the environment and be security conscious and alert whenever in the field because being inattentive with your operational environment and the surroundings might pose risk or threats on your part and may even cost your lives," he said in a statement.
Hidalgo narrated that he saw the patrol car while passing by an area in Angeles City. Upon approaching it, he noticed that the two police officers were busy using their phones, not even aware of his presence.
The PRO-3 official likewise said he would relieve police community precinct commanders and chiefs of police if their subordinates would be caught violating his directive five times.
"When policemen are not following orders from their superiors, it means that they cannot soundly manage or supervise their subordinates. That is why I will relieve and replace them with officials who can discipline them,” he added. (PNA)
