INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered the PNP leadership to instill discipline among policemen in the wake of recent gruesome killings involving cops, the most recent a 52-year-old grandmother in Fairview, Quezon City.
“My guidance is for the PNP leadership and chain of command to strictly supervise their men and instill discipline in the ranks,” said Año, also the chairman of the National Police Commission.
Año said the PNP leadership should review protocols on policemen who are off duty.
“Fast track, expedite resolution of pending cases and continuously account personnel with cases who are stationed at holding units,” Año said, adding the PNP should also conduct “periodic” neuro psychiatric test among policemen “as well as the necessary counseling programs for concerned police officers at all units.”
Año issued the instructions days after Lilybeth Valdez, 52, was grabbed by the hair and shot in the neck by a drunken M/Sgt. Hensie Zinampan, assigned with the Police Security Protection Group, last Monday night. Zinampan is facing administrative and criminal charges.
Last December, Sonia Gregorio, 55, and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25, of Paniqui, Tarlac were shot at close range by Paranaque City policeman Sr. Master Sergeant Joel Nueza after an altercation. Nuezca has been discharged from the service and is in jail facing a murder case.
PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar vowed to comply with Ano’s instructions, saying: “That is just right. We are going to comply, we will instill discipline…We will instill discipline and make sure they will follow.”
