Thomas a’ Kempis said: “Carefully avoid in yourself those things which disturb you in others”. Aside from policemen’s sworn duty to serve and protect, there are things they must avoid to maintain public trust. The first thing a policeman must remember is proper observance of appropriate Napolcom memorandum circulars and PNP issuances which are reiterated to them through the conduct of regular lectures, seminars and the like. Second, let us revisit Napolcom Memorandum Circular No.93-034. There is a specific provision, among others, which relates to the conduct of policemen who frequent gambling joints and houses of ill-repute.

In fact, an administrative offense of Less Grave Misconduct is incurred by any uniformed member of the Philippine National Police when he or she loiters in gambling joints, narcotics dens, prostitution houses, hotels, motels, mahjong joints, cockpits, nightclubs, cocktail lounge, bars, bookie corners, and in other questionable places when not in the performance of duty. Furthermore, engaging in gambling or games, regulated or prohibited, while on duty, or in prohibited games of chance while off-duty are prohibited acts. This is the reason why a policeman may be sacked for being a sabungero. A policeman, while on duty, must therefore avoid the above mentioned prohibited acts so that public trust in the men and women of the police force is maintained.

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For the past weeks, several important occasions involving legal matters have been attended by yours truly. First, the 1stFounding Anniversary and Regional Convention of the Association of Government Legal Officers in Bicol, Inc. (AGLOBI, for short) which was held last 23 October2006 at PNP Multi-Purpose Hall, Camp Gen. Simeon A. Ola here in Legazpi City. It feels good to see once again former classmates in the College of Law, old friends and meeting new ones in one memorable occasion, a sort of reunion. The said activity was attended by a big number of participants, consisting of both lawyers and non-lawyers, occupying the position of legal officers (LO) from the government sector. The Honored Guest was the City mayor of Legazpi, Honorable Noel E. Rosal. One very important objective of the association was the development of strong linkages between government agencies thru the legal officers in order to facilitate timely delivery of legal and other relevant government services to the people and development of fraternal and strong camaraderie among legal officers to enhance their professional competence. The objective is quite specific as distinguished from the broad objective of the common association of all Philippine lawyers, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). In every government agency, there is an association, of course, this is aside from its common employees association. One may hear of the association of clerks of courts, the group of paralegal of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the association of public prosecutors, then called fiscals. With the establishment of the AGLOBI, those in the government holding the position of legal officers are very much invited to register and be part of this new association. The regular monthly meeting is held every Thursday of the month and for more details, you may contact, Atty. Teodoro Caparoso, the current president of the association, with office address at PNP Legal Service, Camp Ola, Legazpi City.

On 09 November2006, a joint seminar sponsored by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on PNP Administrative Disciplinary Machinery was conducted at the PNP Multi-Purpose Hallin Camp Ola, Legazpi City. Yours truly lectured on the topic issues and concerns in the appeal before the Police Regional Appellate Board (PRAB). I took the occasion as an opportunity to impart my little knowledge about appeals to the industrious PNP investigators in the region who are always on the forefront of solving crimes. This kind of seminar is conducted as part of their mandated duty to protect and serve the Filipino people and therefore policemen must always attend to this kind of activity.