General Debold Sinas, the Philippine National Police chief, told troops on Thursday to keep cool even in the face of flaring tempers, as a viral shooting video kept the entire force under scrutiny.
Sinas said the case of Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca underscored the toll of the nearly one-year-long coronavirus quarantines on the mental health of everybody.
Nuezca shot mother and son Sonya Rufino Gregorio, 52, and Frank Anthony Rufino Gregorio, 25 at close range in Paniqui, Tarlac last Sunday following an argument. At that time, he was off duty.
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"Dapat ang pulis maski murahin ka ng kliyente, publiko, cool ka pa rin, hindi mo sabayan ng galit," Sinas told ANC's Headstart.
"Dapat pagtuunan din natin ng pansin because of COVID-19 'yung mental health issues, di lang sa pulis pati sa publiko. Ang tagal na po natin na-quarantine lahat naapektuhan, so ito ang part ng advice ng neuropsychologist namin para in the future di po maulit ito," he said.
Sinas assumed the top PNP post in November and will serve for six months until he retires at 56. He said he hoped to leave a more disciplined police force.
"Ang pinakaimportante talaga dapat disiplinado ang pulis at alam niya ang trabaho... Kung disiplinado ang trabaho ay mababawasan, mawawala po ang pagabuso," he said.
"Of course respect of the public will come after you show good deeds, good actions, good police operations," he said.
Sinas said what Nuezca did was "unfortunate" since President Rodrigo Duterte had worked hard to give the PNP everything it needs.
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