PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Francisco Gamboa has relieved of their posts three senior officials of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Central Visayas for violating a directive against playing golf on weekdays.
Those relieved of their posts are Police Col. Dennis Artil, regional chief comptroller; Police Lt. Col. Richard Bad-Ang, PRO 7 finance services chief; and Police Lt. Col. Glenn Mayam, PRO 7 Drug Enforcement Group director.
Gamboa said the three officials had been playing golf every Tuesday and Thursday “or also during Wednesdays when they are bored.”
Gamboa said two of them were already up for promotion, but this may be halted due to their violations.
“I have ordered their reassignment to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) at the national headquarters while undergoing investigation for flagrant violation of a specific directive--an act that constitutes grave misconduct,” Gamboa said in a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020.
“Strike one na si regional director PRO (Police Regional Office) 7,” he added.
He was referring to Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, PRO 7 director.
De Leon, for his part, expressed support for Gamboa’s decision.
“I join the CPNP (Chief PNP) in his decision to relieve three officers under me. They violated specific instruction of the CPNP,” the Central Visayas police chief said.
“If I (were) in the CPNP’s shoes, I would relieve officers violating clearly stated policies,” he added.
Gamboa reminded all regional directors of this policy on golf, which he issued when he assumed the post of officer-in-charge in October 2019.
“As I have said just three days ago, now that I am Chief PNP, I am vested with greater authority to implement the program of internal cleansing and organizational reform, even with iron fists if it will be necessary,” Gamboa said.
“Hindi ako mag-set ng parameters para everybody is on their toes, not necessarily one strike bago ka ma-relieve,” he added.
Gamboa clarified that policemen are allowed to play golf only during weekends or after working hours.