鈥楴umerous鈥� police commanders now under probe 鈥� NCRPO
NCRPO Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin
MANILA, Philippines — “Numerous” police commanders are now under investigation for failing to supervise patrollers, who reportedly failed to supervise police assistance desks (PADs), among others, in various districts within Metro Manila, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
The NCRPO said the probe stemmed from inspections it conducted geared toward assessing the presence of police personnel and their operational readiness, as well as compliance with deployment directives in areas frequented by foreign nationals.
It added that the surprise red teaming operations were conducted from May 17 to 18, covering all five police districts under the National Capital Region Security Quadrant, per the directive of Regional Director Major General Anthony Aberin.
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According to Aberin, they were able to find unmanned PADs, abandoned posts, and a lack of police presence in high-traffic areas. Some patrol officers were also using their phones on duty, including playing games.
“Numerous police commanders are now under investigation for failing to supervise their patrollers who were found with the aforementioned deficiencies,” Aberin said.
“Those who will be found remiss will be immediately removed from their posts, following due process of law. On the other hand, personnel who were found absent in posts, those unjustifiably using their cellular phones while on duty, and those with violations also face investigation,” he added.
“We must step up with our crime prevention and solution efforts. I expect police commanders to be present, aware, and accountable for their men. Discipline begins at the top,” he further said.
In areas with unmanned posts, Aberin said he had already instructed that junior officers from mobile units be deployed to temporarily fill them to ensure police visibility.
Aberin added that these inspections “will not be a one-time effort but will become part of the standard operational procedure” of NCRPO.
“Let this serve as a warning and an example—complacency and failure of supervision will be met with the heaviest penalties. Discipline begins at the top, and accountability must be absolute,” he said. /cb
