16 cops in Eastern Samar town relieved, face probe for drinking inside station
TACLOBAN CITY—The full force of the law will be applied against 16 police personnel, including their chief, who were allegedly caught drinking alcoholic beverages inside their police station in Dolores, Eastern Samar.
Police Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, regional director of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Samar (PRO-8), stressed that due process will be strictly observed as authorities conduct an administrative investigation into the incident.
The 16 police personnel, including the chief of police of the Dolores Municipal Police Station, have been relieved from their posts after photos showing them allegedly engaged in a drinking session during a Christmas party inside the station on Dec. 16 went viral on social media.
All 16 personnel were temporarily reassigned to the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office in Borongan City, pending the outcome of the investigation. They were replaced by policemen coming from nearby towns.
“The administrative investigation is already ongoing,” Capoy said in an interview on Friday. “They will face the consequences of their actions, but at this time, they are still presumed innocent until proven otherwise.”
He said the probe is being conducted simultaneously by the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office and the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division. Capoy did not specify how long the investigation would take.
Capoy admitted feeling saddened by the incident, particularly by the public backlash that followed after the photos circulated online.
“There is some sympathy, because they are also just human beings. But I do not condone their mistake,” he said.
The police regional director also revealed that he was even prepared to tender his resignation in the wake of the controversy, underscoring the seriousness with which he views the incident.
Amid the controversy, Capoy said he has reminded all police personnel in the region to strictly adhere to discipline and professionalism, including avoiding the consumption of alcohol, even within the confines of their homes, to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
