BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Several policemen from the E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental police station are in trouble. They were caught sleeping while on duty during a “surprise” inspection by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
According to Atty. Joseph Celis, director of Napolcom Region 6, around 11:03 p.m. Friday he discovered there was no Desk Officer or Sentinel available at the station.
Celis said he caught at least four cops sleeping, and it took at least five minutes for one of the police officers to finally wake up.
There was also no Official Duty Detail Order issued, according to Celis.
The director was also not pleased by the untidiness of the police station and its foul-smelling toilet.
There were more: an old unserviceable police vehicle blocked the other passageway to the police station and the gates were open.
It took the stunned policemen some 15 minutes to organize themselves and get into formation, said Celiz.
The Napolcom director added that the officer-in-charge of the police station and his deputy were also not present at the time of the surprise inspection.
In response to the incident, Mayor Marvin Malacon said he would leave it to Napolcom to determine the sanctions against the policemen.
He said 50 percent of the policemen of the E.B. Magalona police station were residents of the town.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) director, Police Colonel Romy Palgue, meanwhile, ordered the relief of E.B. Magalona police officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant John Paul Tabujara.
Replacing Tabujara is Police Captain Erik Doronila.
Palgue also said they would conduct an investigation.
An administrative charge may be filed.
Penalties include withholding of the mid-year and year-end bonuses, as well as their replacement clothing allowance.
Their chances for promotion may also be adversely affected.
Celis made several surprise inspections of the police stations in Negros Occidental last week.
Among the police stations he visited included those of the towns of Don Salvador Benedicto, and Manapla, as well as those of the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, and Sagay./PN