BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE “sleeping cops” havoc in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental still refuses to die down for two weeks now.
Media and netizens “feasted” with the story and photos on Facebook (FB). For some, it’s funny, but pitiable to others. Alas, no one dared to explore the “buts” and “ifs” in the story.
But I was “shocked” to know that, until now, the case is still under investigation. Meaning, nothing’s final so no one’s guilty yet.
But the “sleeping cops”, including their families, were already judged, bullied, lambasted, ridiculed, and even cursed on FB.
Ironically, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCCPO) director, Col. Romy Palgue, is still facing a “blank wall” as to the motive of parading his policemen’s alleged iniquitous doings in social media. He even sounds “penniless” in this case. He lamented and yet can do nothing except to wait for the result of the ongoing probe.
He never had a chance, too, to meet National Police Commission (Napolcom) – Western Visayas chief, Atty. Joseph Celis, right after the incident and up to now.
Supposedly, he wanted to ask Celis’ real intention in posting those “distasteful” photos on FB.
“Siya (Celis) lang po kasi ang nakaka-alam,” he said in Tagalog.
Asked for comment, still Atty. Jonnie Dabuco, officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Region 6, can’t exact yet if Celis can be held liable for any administrative or criminal offense for what he did.
CHR then is very much willing to give them legal advice(s).
“But if they (sleeping cops) feel aggrieved, they can file criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman,” suggested Dabuco.
On May 14, 2021, Celis conducted an ocular inspection on different police stations in the province. He arrived at the EB Magalona Police at around 11 p.m. Allegedly, it took 15 minutes for the cops (on duty) to open the gate.
Celis took photos of the padlocked gate, filthy comfort room, etcetera not pleasing to his eyes. He then posted them on FB. Minutes after, his posts went viral.
The following morning, the story hogged the headlines of the local news. Then, it made the World Wide Web (www) abuzz.
In the military and police, “sleeping while on duty” is a felony, especially at the height of war or any trouble. Such constitutes gross misconduct, a ground that necessitates disciplinary action or even termination from the service.
But in this particular case, nothing’s final yet. Thus, subjecting cops to “hypercritical” shaming via social media is an affront to their dignity, hence, detrimental to their mental health.
Mental health nowadays is important as physical health amidst the raging COVID-19 pandemic. But Celis stressed he (just) wanted to make people aware of what is happening around, pertaining to government enforcement activities.
“And to show to the people the level of compliance of policies and rules and regulations of Napolcom and the Philippines National Police (PNP),” he added.
Napolcom is an attached agency of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) mandated to exercise administrative control and operational supervision over the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Celis said what he did was an example that there will be consequences in every misfeasance and malfeasance committed by any PNP member.
The Principle of Check and Balance in a democracy, he pointed out, is at play in our country for the people to know and be updated, especially as to how it is done in our level and taxes are applied and paid for.
But Dr. Nicola Gates, a leading neuro-psychologist in the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, warned that shame is a particularly acute risk for mental illness. Ergo, “over shaming” is tantamount to belittling.
Also, world-renowned psychologist Debra Campbell had enunciated that, “Even when we do wrong, accountability is helpful, compassion is helpful, apology is helpful, forgiveness is helpful, but shame is not.”
The case of the “sleeping cops”, I believe, should have been investigated first through an “internally ours” principle or the basic: “tayo-tayo muna bago social media.”
“Internally ours” is likened to “motu proprio” (on our own investigation) except that the former has an element of compassion leading to forgiveness.
Who knows? Maybe the alleged sleeping cops have valid reason(s).
Isn’t it right?
Let’s take into consideration that policemen nowadays are quite “exhausted” due to government responses against COVID-19 pandemic. They’re front liners, too. So napping during work might improve their productivity.
In some industries here in the country and abroad, sleeping at work is permitted or even encouraged, especially in an extremely demanding period.
This case is somehow similar to what happened at the New York Police (NYP) in 1968. But the NYP chief justified that “sleeping while on duty” was a customary for them.
In Japan, napping in public is called “inemuri” or “present while sleeping”. It is considered a sign of workers’ or police’s dedication to their job.
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) stressed that sleep is necessary. It’s a non-negotiable biological function. Thus, lack of sleep will put someone in lose-lose situation.
Sleep deprivation can be a major predictor of accidents or injuries among fatigue workers, including policemen, added the NSF. It also compromises their decision-making ability.
A lady guidance counselor in one of the state universities in the province said the “sleeping cops” case in EB Magalona will have ripple or rippling effects. Emotional contagion is one.
Psychology defines emotional contagion as a phenomenon of having one person’s emotions and related behaviors directly trigger similar emotions and behaviors in other people.
But Celis stood pat that what he did was in the spirit of transparency. He underscored that probe by Napolcom is transparent in the matter. “We are even updated and open to the media.”
Though, he appealed: “We should wait for the determination of the case based on the period of resolution of cases in our Napolcom Internal Rules on Investigation.”
“As of now, we cannot make sweeping statement as to the penalties because the case is now under investigation,” he added.
Palgue, meanwhile, promised “to make everything” to avoid repeat of the same incident in the province.
But what a mayhem, indeed!
Celis’ intention might be noble, but surely miscalculated the “fatal” repercussion. The “sleeping cops” were no robots. They’re still humans with minds and hearts prone to mental and emotional debacles.
Making them as instant “infamous” figures on FB sans official probe is likened to an “artificial high drama” wherein someone could either be a “magnificent hero” or “sickening villain”.
At any rate, let’s wait and see on who’ll be in lose-lose situation later?/PN
