Personnel at the EB Magalona Police Station in Negros Occidental are in hot water after Regional Director Joseph Celis of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), during a surprise inspection on Friday night, May 14, caught them sleeping while on duty.

EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon confirmed that Police Lt. John Paul Tabujara, the designated officer in charge of the police station, was sacked as a result.

Police Col. Romy Palgue, provincial police director, appointed Police Capt. Erik Doronila to replace Tabujara.

Palgue said they will investigate the incident, adding appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken if the involved policemen are found guilty.

Celis posted on his social media account the narrative of the dismal sight that greeted him at the EB Magalona Police Station.

“Arrived at the EB Magalona Police Station Negros Occidental at 11:03 p.m. There were no desk officer and sentinel. It took five minutes for one policeman to wake up. The other three were still asleep.

Literally, they are not performing their duties. There is no official duty detail order issued,” Celis posted on Facebook.

Celis noted the less than impressive state of the station and the stinking smell inside.

He said the station stinks and its premises dirty.

“Moreover, the old serviceable police vehicle blocks the other passageway and the gates are just open,” Celis added.

After 15 minutes of waiting, he said, the police officers inside the station woke up and changed into their uniforms.

He also noted the police chief and his deputy “were nowhere to be found.”

Malacon said the policemen should face whatever sanctions may be imposed against them by the Philippine National Police (PNP) hierarchy.

“What had happened was a lesson, not only to the PNP, but to all of us. We’re given our mandate and we have to perform our obligations,” he added.

The problem, according to Malacon, is not with the organization but with some PNP personnel.

Malacon cited the need to discipline them.

Meanwhile, Celis said he did not find any problem at the city police stations of Silay and Talisay, which he also visited after stopping by EB Magalona.

The sentinel and desk officers were performing their duties, including Police Chiefs Lt. Col. Robert Petate and Maj. Jigger Gimeno, he added.

Petate rendered duty for three months straight at the Silay City Police Station where he had been staying, Celis said.

Police officers caught sleeping while on duty will face administrative charges.

Penalties include withholding of their midyear and year-end bonuses as well as their replacement clothing allowance.

Their chance for promotion can also be affected.

Celis said officers and men of the police stations of Don Salvador Benedicto and Manapla towns, as well as those of the cities of Victorias, Cadiz and Sagay, were manning their posts during his inspection.