PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday warned policemen from using their phones while on duty specifically to access Facebook and watch videos.
“This is my first and last warning: No cellphones during duties,” Marbil told a press briefing at Camp Crame when asked about crime-prevention strategies he will be implementing during his watch.
Marbil, who assumed command as PNP chief last Monday vice now retired Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., said he implemented the same policy when he was the director of the Eastern Visayas regional police office a few years ago.
“What we want is that if you are on duty, you should be on duty. If you are on patrol, you should be doing patrol,” said Marbil.
“If you are caught using cellphones, there will be no forgiveness,” he added.
“I caught many people, policemen, when I was regional director,” said Marbil, referring to policemen using Facebook and watching videos while on duty.
He said policemen have radios “so there is no excuse for our policemen to use their cellphones” while on duty.
Marbil said he wants policemen to focus while on duty and avoid recreational activities such as using Facebook and watching videos on their phones.
“I want the people to feel police presence on the ground,” he said.
As to President Marcos Jr.’s marching order to him, Marbil said the President wants peace and order in the country.
He said the President wants police presence to be further noticed on the streets and the PNP to improve on its information technology capability.
As to his directive to policemen as the new PNP chief, Marbil said: “Number one is public service. Early in the morning, we don’t need to spend so much time on parades, or flag-raising.
“Before 8 a.m., we should be ready to accept our clients…If we are early and we solve problems as early as possible, I think that’s (good) for the PNP,” he said.
