Personnel on duty at the EB Magalona Police Station in Negros Occidental are in hot water after NAPOLCOM Regional Director Joseph Celis caught them sleeping while on duty, literally, during a surprise inspection Friday night, May 14.
The next day, town Mayor Marvin Malacon confirmed that PLt. John Paul Tabujara, the designated officer-in-charge of the police station, was relieved.
Celis posted on his social media account the narrative of the dismal sight that greeting him at the EB Magalona Police Station.
“Arrived at EB Magalona Police Station, Negros Occidentl at 11:03 p.m. There is no Desk Officer and Sentinel. It took five minutes for one policeman to wake up. The other three are still fast asleep. Literally, they are not performning their duties. There is no Official Duty Detail Order issued.” Celis posted on Facebook.
The regional NAPOLCOM director also noted the less than impressive state of the station and the stinking smell inside.
“The smell of the station is stingy with pee and the premises dirty. Moreover, the old serviceable police vehicle blocks the other passage way and the gates are just open.” he said.
After 15 minutes of waiting, Celis said the police officers inside the station finally woke up and changed to their uniforms. He noted that the police chief and his deputy “were nowhere to be found”.
EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon said that the concerned policemen should face whatever sanctions imposed by the PNP hierarchy. He added that the municipal government have been extending its all-out support to them.
“What had happened was a lesson, not only to the PNP, but to all of us. We’re given our mandate and we have to perform our obligations,” Malacon said.
He added that the problem is not with the organization, but with some PNP personnel. Malacon stressed the need to discipline them.
Meanwhile, Celis said that he did not find any problem at the city police stations of Silay and Talisay, which he also visited after stopping by at EB Magalona.
The sentinel and desk officers were performing their duties, including police chiefs Lt. Col. Robert Petate and Maj. Jigger Gimeno., he said.
Petate rendered duty for three months straight at the Silay City Police Station, where he had been staying, Celis said. — GB
