Cops caught sleeping to face relief

CEBU, Philippines — Relief awaits three policemen who were caught visibly sleeping on their posts during random inspections made by the Cebu Provincial Police Office yesterday.

Though he did not name the “sleeping cops,” CPPO Director Col. Roderick Mariano said two of the three are assigned at Catmon Police Station while the other one is assigned at Sogod Police Station, both in northeastern Cebu.

Mariano told the media that these cops will be relieved from their posts and face investigation for administrative charges.

He said there were also some policemen caught not wearing the proper uniform.

The discovery of the “sleeping cops” and other erring policemen came as the provincial police launched a new program called Discipline Zones, which seeks to check whether the policemen are actively doing their jobs in their respective assignments.

The program was launched yesterday in Talisay City and Minglanilla town. There, a mobile patrol from the CPPO roved the streets with their blinkers on and a staff organized by the CPPO made rounds to ensure whether the men in uniform are actually doing their jobs.

Mariano defended the program from comments that it will not be sustainable, emphasizing that he wants the program expanded to and replicated in other parts of the province.

He said he takes the comments as a challenge to intensify the discipline zones, adding that the police personnel caught sleeping in their posts was just proof on how serious his leadership is in institutionalizing the program.

“That’s the challenge habang ako yung nandidito, ako yung nag i-inspect, that’s why yung aming red teaming, I already designate yung aking mga deputies to be the supervisor from North to South. I already designated district supervisors among the chiefs of police and among the staff, they will also be inspecting the police stations,” Mariano said.

It was Mariano’s staff who inspected the police stations and caught some of the cops allegedly sleeping on their duties. This is why Mariano is now determined to intensify the supervision of the policemen to avoid similar incidents.      

Aside from Minglanilla and Talisay City, disciplinary zones will also be soon launched in other areas as per instruction from Mariano and with the coordination of the mayors concerned.

“Karamihan ay meron nang nakapag-launch na. Yung iba naman magla-launch pa ulit, but I told them na ngayong week nato, mag la-launch na sila lahat. Initially, nakapag-launch naman sila with the coordination of their mayors,” Mariano said.

Mariano added: “Yung ibang mga mayor na napupuntahan ko, magandang napupuri nila ang Talisay, malinis na talaga ngayon, at dito pa yung mga daanan ng mga ilegalista. Kaya kailangan i-strengthen natin ang ating checkpoints. ” (FREEMAN)