Cops decry nightclub ban, seek guidelines

Manila police officers urged their superiors yesterday to issue specific guidelines on the nightlife check which targets lawmen and government officials frequenting nightclubs and bars.

SPO2 Antonio Emmanuel, spokesman of Manila’s Finest Brotherhood Association Inc. (MFBAI), claimed the rules and regulations of the policy that prohibits policemen from going to night clubs were vague and unclear.

Emmanuel lamented that social life of police officers have been severely affected by the nightlife check.

"We are human too, we have our own personal form of recreation," he said.

"We strongly disagree with the policy that charges administrative cases against off-duty policemen who go to night clubs even without service firearm and in civilian clothes."

He noted that most cops are invited by friends after duty hours, while stressing that lawmen do not abuse their authority inside nightclubs.

Other policemen insisted they have a right to have a good time at bars and nightclubs.

A veteran policeman reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership that every cop is entitled to unwind after a tiring day of work at headquarters.

At the same time, he pointed out that the time they spend inside beerhouses is not a total waste since they usually get information that may help them solve cases they are investigating.

Earlier, PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane ordered the 120,000-strong police force to refrain from going to nightspots as part of the government’s effort to stamp out corruption among government officials and law enforcers.

The PNP chief said policemen who are caught inside nightclubs being used as fronts for illegal activities, regardless of paying the bill, could be charged administratively. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Edu Punay