PNP OIC Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa announced that police could longer play golf during weekdays, Wednesday, October 16.
The newly appointed PNP OIC made the announcement the golf ban for the police during an ambush interview with the media after the Metro Manila police chiefs turnover ceremony in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
Gamboa told reporters he approved the order of banning police from playing golf from Monday to Friday. The PNP OIC temporarily replaced former PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde who resigned a few weeks before his scheduled retirement on November 8.
The ban was Gamboa’s move to win back the public’s trust and confidence with the Philippine National Police. The PNP OIC said Albayalde’s involvement in the “ninja cops,” and shabu recycling controversy affected PNP’s credibility.
“However, to some extent, there’s a bit of a loss on credibility on the part of the PNP,” said Gamboa in an interview.
Former PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detention Group chief Benjamin Magalong accused Albayalde of deferring the dismissal order against the 13 “ninja cops.”
Rudy Lacadin, another retired police officer, also claimed Albayalde called him to ask about the “ninja cops’” case. Lacadin also said the general admitted that “only a little” amount of the drug loot went to him.
Albayalde denied all of Mangalong and Lacadin’s accusations saying, “it seems that everybody is ganging up on me” and that “it’s as if I’m being crucified already.”
The PNP will also partner with religious groups to conduct bible studies among the policemen.