Eight chiefs of police in Metro Manila have been relieved from their posts after failing to comply with the Philippine National Police's (PNP) directive requiring a five-minute response time to emergency calls, Edniel Parrosa reported on Monday, June 16.
According to PNP Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III, the police officials failed to meet the "very simple" directive during a recent simulation exercise designed to test response capabilities to emergency hotline 911 calls.
While their names were not disclosed in the initial interview, PNP spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo confirmed that the relieved officials were the chiefs of police of Caloocan, Navotas, Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, Marikina, San Juan, Parañaque, and Makati.
Moreover, Torre warned that three more provincial directors from Region 6, Region 7, and Negros Island may be the next to be removed from their posts, as they are currently under evaluation for similar lapses.
The relieved police officials will be asked to explain their failure to comply with the directive, and administrative charges may be filed against them, according to the PNP.
The five-minute response policy is among the flagship reforms being implemented by the PNP under its new leadership.
Torre emphasized that this was effectively enforced during his time as chief of the Quezon City Police District and should now be the standard nationwide.
"Priority ang Metro Manila... Syempre ako ay dating hepe ng Quezon City Police District, I have done that long long before, gusto ko buong NCR ay makakagawa non. Pag hindi kayang gawin ng chief of police 'yon sa kanyang station, aalisin ko siya," he said.
