‘Gifts to cops? Saying thank you is enough’

MANILA, Philippines — Saying “thank you” is enough, said an official of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) who advised the public against giving gifts to policemen.

Despite President Duterte’s earlier statements justifying police officers accepting gifts, Napolcom legal affairs service chief Chito Noel Bustonera yesterday said there is no need for a grateful citizen to give tokens or gifts to a police officer.

“As much as possible a mere ‘thank you’ already goes a long way because the law enforcer, in the performance of his duty, does not expect anything in return, just the gratitude of the people that he serves,” Bustonera added.

He said the mere gesture of saying thank you to a police officer serves as a morale booster.

“If you ask any Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, saying ‘thank you’ is already a morale booster. I think that there is no longer any need for the public to give anything of value,” Bustonera said.

Bustonera said they follow the policy direction of their chairman, Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), discouraging policemen from receiving gifts.

Año reminded policemen that they “are prohibited from receiving because that constitutes a grave offense that could lead to dismissal of a police officer from the service.”

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said a simple thank you is more than enough to boost their morale.

Albayalde said the public should not give them gifts as taxpayers paid for their services.

What could be considered as exemptions are gifts of nominal or insignificant value such as food and drinks partaken during occasions and gatherings.

Albayalde admitted receiving gifts from people but these were only food during occasions.    –  With Emmanuel Tupas