Napolcom exec says yes to 'moonlighting-cops' but…
Cops as teachers? Yes. Cops as fish vendors and carinderia-operators? Why not. Cops as taxi drivers? Not really. Uniformed cops as teachers, fish vendors, carinderia-operators and taxi drivers? No, not at all.
Such summed up the sentiments of a top official of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) here amidst talks on "moonlighting" of police personnel.
With the moral issue presented on the need for added income to today's Ilonggo policemen and policewomen, Napolcom lawyer Jose Niego backed up the proposal.
Yet clear on the limitations, Attorney Niego was quick on his explanation that the "yes" meant three major conditions.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) hierarchy in previous weeks' pronouncement of PNP chief heard his declaration that "moonlighting" to a certain extent is now acceptable.
Niego for his part said while the intent is noble, guidelines and provisions must be clear and clarified. Niego was the resource person of latest episode of cable television talk show, TSIP (Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis) over Sky Cable's CPU Channel.
"First, it must be within the bounds of law. Second, it must be legitimate source of income. Third, the activities in itself must be legal," Attorney Niego said while adding that he wants the word "moonlighting" changed. "The word connotes something fishy…it eventually boils down to the intent of augmenting the income of our police force. That is acceptable with limitations and for as long as it does not affect the police service. Pero indi dapat (But it should not be) "moonlighting" ang (the) word."
Niego made clear then that among the no-no in "moonlighting" activities for police personnel is acting as personal bodyguard during off-duty. And wearing of uniforms during these "moonlighted" activities is another outright prohibition too.
While no official list is available, it is common knowledge here that a number of Ilonggo police are involved in other income-generating services.
"Being a police officer is a noble and dignified job. Service to the community is on a 24 hour, seven days a week duty and once a police officer, always a police officer. You can not say that during your days off you are no longer one. But we also know the income is not enough and they are not even paid overtime. Still, I want to clarify that any income-generating activity must be within the bounds of law," Niego ended.
TSIP program host is policeman-writer, Police Officer 2 Francis Lindero whose column regularly appears in The News Today (TNT).