By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The heads of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) yesterday morning warned its personnel to be on alert at all times.

The warning came after several personnel of the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station were caught sleeping while on duty last week by National Police Commission 6 (Napolcom) director, Atty. Joseph Celis.

BCPO spokesperson Lt. Ma. Liberty Indiape said they regularly check the police stations in the city and the personnel are constantly being refreshed to prepare for any unexpected incidents.

Indiape said the police personnel have also assured that they will stick to their duties at all times, and that sleeping on duty will not be tolerated.

The personnel were further reminded to be prepared to defend their stations at all times, especially as insurgents such as the New People’s Army have a history of attacking police stations.

On Friday night, May 14, Celis caught four police personnel of the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station sleeping while on duty during a surprise inspection.

Celis also found the station dirty, and there were no desk officer or sentinel on duty at the time of inspection.

It took the stunned policemen some 15 minutes to organize themselves and get into formation.

The chief of the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station, Lieutenant John Paul Tabujara, was held responsible over the incident. Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) director, Police Colonel Romy Palgue, ordered his relief.

Replacing Tabujara is Police Captain Erik Doronila.

NOCPPO is also conducting an investigation over the incident./DGB, WDJ