D.P.A. (Straight from the Camp)
By Francisco B. Lindero, Jr.

New duty scheme

Last April 23, Saturday, I had opportunity to attend a conference called for by Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 Director PCSupt Doroteo A Reyes II. The said conference was aimed primarily to discuss the duty schemes being observed at Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), respectively; and the possibility of formulating a new scheme to increase visibility of policemen especially in common places of convergence.

Before he assumed office here at Region 6, police visibility in our major thoroughfares and vital economic installations seems a misnomer because we can hardly see police officers in accessible areas at the malls, churches, wet markets, schools, terminals, etc. This called the attention of General Reyes and directed all City and Provincial directors to look into the matter and take appropriate action.

The new Regional Director perceives police visibility through walking the beat and mobile patrol can effectively deter street crimes and possible terrorist attacks. In fact, it can also be viewed as his manifest drive to win the confidence of the populace by bringing closer to the public the venue of law enforcement services when the need arises.

General Reyes' first week in the region was marked with the pronouncement of Full Alert status which until now is in effect. Full Alert status, as I have discussed in my previous article, requires 100% attendance of all uniformed personnel in their respective offices/units even during weekends and holidays. To insure this is being observed in all levels, he sends his deputies and staff to inspect police stations and precincts, but sometimes, he takes the cudgel personally and visits his men in the field. You will be surprised to observe that this director visits his men not only to know directly that his instruction is carried out religiously, but also to surprise them of the snacks he brings for them. He dialogues with his men literally over a cup of hot coffee and pandesal. I assure you, if you meet this man, you will experience that he does not only radiates competence and command but also love and concern.

Going back to that conference, PSSupt Norberto Bautista, on the one hand, presented a “three-shift duty scheme” which he already implemented in ICPO Headquarters down to the six Police Precincts. This scheme, as observed by inspecting team from PRO 6 headquarters led by Deputy Regional Director for Operations, PSSupt Isagani R Cuevas, drew negative feedbacks from ICPO PNP personnel. However, General Reyes resolved that the three-shift scheme shall be maintained until police officers make necessary adjustment with the new routine.

The thee-shift duty scheme will put our police officers for a total of 24 hours on duty and 24 hours on reserve/on call status before he can take his rest for equally 24 hours. No wonder negative comments from police officers affected with the scheme are coming out. Truly, this new scheme needs mental re-conditioning because personnel at ICPO were used to a “one-day duty, one-day off” scheme during the stint of retired PSSupt Policarpio Segubre. The latter scheme was seemed more convenient and advantageous to PNP personnel.

On the other hand, PSSupt Efren S Quintos presented three (3) different duty schemes in accordance with three (3) alert levels, to wit: For Normal alert, a 50-50 scheme; during Heightened alert, 100-50 scheme (100% attendance during office hours and 50% during off office hours including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays); and at Full alert, 100-100 scheme (all uniformed personnel must be present during and after office hours) is being implemented. These schemes will eventually be adopted in other provincial offices as General Reyes approves the concepts of those models.

Despite the approval of General Reyes of these duty schemes, it is not yet an absolute guideline that needs no modification. The implementation is only meant to put to test the designed formula to measure its effectiveness and applicability. Should there be new features or designs that will improve those schemes, these will be properly incorporated not only for better law enforcement services but also for the benefit of each PNP personnel.

It has to be remembered that this endeavor is not meant to advance and develop the services of the PNP organization alone at the expense of the welfare and morale of its members and their respective families. The PNP respects its individual members and gives high value to family life. Otherwise, we doubt its understanding of justice, peace and order!!!

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To my niece, Florie Mae Sabarillo and cousin, Irish May Bañes, who graduated from high school with flying colors, CONGRATULATIONS!!! The whole clan is so proud of you!

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If you have comments and suggestions, I am nearer than you think. E-mail me at rogatepnp@yahoo.com or text to 09193161190.