THE doctor non-uniformed personnel (NUP), who allegedly shot a Grade 9 student shot during a scuffle at a local bar, is not covered by the directive prohibiting police personnel from drinking in bars, nightclubs, and other public places.
The camp of Amier Mangacop raised in a Facebook post how the shooter was allowed inside the bar considering there is a directive issued by former president Rodrigo Duterte in January 2019, which was issued by then Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, ordering the Philippine National Police (PNP) through an Administrative Circular, banning police personnel from drinking in bars, nightclubs, and in other public places.
They also raised the question of whether gun owners are allowed to bring their firearms to public areas such as bars and other drinking places.
In response Police Maj. Eudisan Gultiano, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao spokesperson, told SunStar Davao in an ambush interview that while all PNP employees, regardless of uniformed or non-uniformed personnel, are covered by the policies of the agency, she emphasized that the order from the Duterte does not specifically include those who are not policemen.
In terms of disciplinary procedure, she said police personnel is subject to the scrutiny of the National Police Commission, while NUP is under the jurisdiction of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). She said this makes the order “lenient” in terms of implementation.
"Ang may strict na requirement talaga, di ba ang sinabi ni PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] noon, police. Ang non-uniform personnel kasi, ang kaibahan po nito sa kanila is civilian employee 'yan sila. (According to PRRD, those included in the strict requirements are the police personnel. The NUP, on the other hand, are considered civilian employees.) They are bound with tour of duty nila according lang doon sa oras na prino-provide ni (according only to the time of service provided by the) Civil Service," Gultiano said.
"Outside their duty, medyo mahihirapan na kami mag-control sa private engagement nila kasi personal 'yon sa kanila (it would be difficult for us to control their private engagement since it is personal to them)," she added.
The police official said they did not fall short in terms of reminding their personnel to be responsible in their actions outside their work.
Regardless, Gultiano, also a lawyer, said they will still face administrative charges for irregularities in violation of the Revised Rules of the CSC.
She also emphasized that bringing firearms inside the bar is strictly prohibited.
Following the incident, Gultiano said PRO-Davao Director Police Brigadier General Benjamin Silo Jr. might be prompted to issue a memorandum reminding all police and non-uniform personnel on the policy of bringing guns in public places.
She added that CSC has already existing policies for government employees in bringing guns.
"Ang pagdadala ng baril, it's karapatan 'yan ng individual (Owning and bringing of firearms is an individual right) for as long as licensed, registered, at PTCFOR [Permit To Carry Firearms Outside Residence]," Gultiano said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson said the complaint for murder filed to the suspect was already filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office, however, the accused requested for preliminary investigation. RGL