PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil said as part of his program, he will be implementing a ‘no cellphone use’ while in duty just like what he did when he was Police Regional Office 8 director in Eastern Visayas.

“Ginawa na namin sa Region 8 ‘yan. No cellphones during duty. Pag nahuli ka with cellphone, there will be no forgiveness. Gusto namin pag duty, duty,” he said.

The PNP chief said he caught some policemen in Central Visayas violating his directive and had them relieved and charged administratively.

“I don’t want my policemen watching movies, using Facebook in their cellphones while on duty. Me discernment naman kami. Ano ang ginagawa mo during that time? he said.

Besides, policemen have issued radios they can use to communicate with their headquarters so using mobile phones is really not an excuse.

PNP Red Teams and other inspection teams will be fielded to ensure that the policy of Gen. Marbil will be implemented to the hilt, particularly during ‘on-the-spot corrections.’

The top cop said that he wants the public to really feel the presence of uniformed and plainclothes officers in the streets who are guarding them.

The PNP chief said he doesn’t want to see unmanned police patrol vehicles while parked in their designated assignments in public places, most importantly in areas of major convergence.

“I need beat patrols, I want people to feel the presence of our police officers on the ground,” he said.

“This is my first and last warning: no cell phones during duties. We need patrols. If we catch you using a cell phone, there will be no forgiveness. We are very strict about this,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that cell phones nowadays are the primary mode of communication.

Following Marbil’s directive, the Rizal Police Provincial Office headed by Colonel Felipe B. Maraggun issued a memorandum strictly prohibiting their men on duty from using their cell phones while on duty or patrol.

“All unit commanders/cops are directed to disseminate to their respective PNP [Philippine National Police] personnel that using cellular phones [is] strictly prohibited while on duty/patrol,” Maraggun said in his memorandum.