SEVERAL cops from the EB Magalona Municipal Police Station are in hot water after they were reportedly caught sleeping while on duty during a surprise inspection carried out by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) Western Visayas Director lawyer Joseph Celis.
According to Celis, he arrived around 11:03 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2021, at the police station and discovered there was no desk officer or sentinel available.
Celis said he caught at least four cops sleeping on duty and it took at least five minutes for one of the police officers to wake up.
There was also no Official Duty Detail Order issued according to the Napolcom-Western Visayas director.
Celis could not hide his disgust, pointing out that the station's premises were dirty and the smell of urine in the station's toilet was "stingy."
He also noted that the old unserviceable police vehicle blocked the other passageway to the police station and the gates also remained open.
Celis further added that it took 15 minutes for the cops on duty to organize themselves and get into formation before him.
The Napolcom-Western Visayas director added the officer-in-charge of the police station and his deputy were also not present at the time of the surprise inspection.
In response to the incident, EB Magalona town Mayor Marvin Malacon said he will leave the matter to Celis as to what penalty the involved police officers may face, adding that the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters has the authority to execute sanctions.
Malacon noted that 50 percent of police personnel of the EB Magalona Municipal Police Station are residents of the town.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Director Police Colonel Romy Palgue, meanwhile, ordered the relief of EB Magalona police officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant John Paul Tabujara.
Replacing Tabujara is Police Captain Erik Doronila.
Palgue also said they will conduct an investigation over the incident, adding appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken if the involved cops are found guilty.
Based on previous records for members of the PNP who were caught sleeping while on duty, an administrative charge may be filed against the involved cops.
Penalties include withholding of their mid-year and year-end bonuses, as well as their replacement clothing allowance. Their chance for promotion can also be affected.
Aside from the EB Magalona Municipal Police Station, Celis also made several surprise inspections at police stations in Negros Occidental last week.
Among the police stations he visited included those belonging in the towns of Don Salvador Benedicto and Manapla, as well as the Cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, and Sagay.
