PNP Forbids Drinking on the Job

The PNP has now officially banned drinking while on duty. Who knew PNP officers were actually allowed, nay encouraged by the top brass, to drink on the job? 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1997769/consuming-intoxicating-drinks-at-pnps-workplaces-now-prohibited

Consuming any liquor or any intoxicating drinks  within the workplace of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now prohibited, according to a memorandum issued on October 21 by the agency’s Chief of Directorial Staff.

“All offices/units are directed to strictly enforce the prohibition of drinking any kind of intoxicating liquor within the workplace (i.e offices, premises, or worksites, including training venues, places visited for field work assignment, and related situations),” the memorandum read.

Police officers were previously allowed “happy hour” and “beer busting” as a way to “unwind, foster camaraderie, and strengthen working relationships.”

However, the memorandum also said that the directive was instituted to prevent unfortunate instances such as endangering lives from these activities.

“[A]ll PNP personnel are reminded to always conduct and present themselves responsibly and professionally, in accordance with RA [Republic Act] No. 6713 and the PNP Ethical Doctrine,” the memorandum added.

RA No. 6713 provides the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.

Further, the personnel who will violate the order and their Chief of Office/Unit Commander may be held liable.

Who was paying for the alcohol?  The taxpayer? Maybe it was donated by manufacturers. A few years back I posted a few pictures showing Tanduay's sponsorship of the PNP. 

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2018/09/pnp-sponsored-by-tanduay-rhum.html

I have seen liquor bottles on site at a PNP office once. But who knew happy hour and beer busting sessions were actually encouraged by leadership for officers to “unwind, foster camaraderie, and strengthen working relationships.” Aren't there better ways to do that without drinking on the job where guns are available? Apparently not.

It is rather shameful this practice has been encouraged for so many years. All that talk about cleaning up the ranks and the generals were letting their subordinates have a wild time in the office on the taxpayer's dime. Perhaps now the PNP will be a bastion of decency, incorruptibility, and sobriety. Doubt it. 

Drunk Firefighters

I take pictures of just about everything. Whenever I see something that strikes me I break out my camera and take a snapshot. Like this fire station.

What's so interesting about this you ask? Nothing. It's just an ordinary fire station and those are ordinary fire trucks.  But what's around the corner? Let's take a look.

The unknown beckons.  Let's plunge into it.

Why look at that! It's a bench with 5 empty bottles of Tanduay scattered about. These firemen cannot even clean up their trash after a rousing drunk. Why are they drinking on the job anyway? What if a call comes in and they have to go fight a fire? A drunk fireman is no good. They could also end up killing each other.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089372

A personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here died while another was wounded after they stabbed each other following the station’s Christmas party that ended around 2 a.m. on Monday. 

The fatality was identified as Isaac Cabana and the wounded, Cornelio Silva, who both have the rank of Fire Officer 3. 

Initial police investigation showed the two firefighters remained at the venue, just in front of the city fire station on San Juan Street, Barangay 8, after the celebration ended. 

Maj. Sherlock Gabana, chief of Police Station 2, said Cabana sustained a wound in the neck and was declared dead at a hospital. 

Silva is being treated for abdomen and back wounds, he added. 

Gabana said their other colleagues saw them “hugging” each other, and then found the two already injured.

You can see in the forefront of this picture two cases of 1 litre size Red Horse beer. You can also see a bottle on the table. Hard to tell exactly what it is but it's probably alcohol. 

Why do Filipino firemen and policemen drink on the job and store alcohol in the staff kitchen? Why is this allowed? Who is monitoring these people? Just another problem in this problematic country.