An alleged drinking session inside a police station in Eastern Samar has resulted in the relief of 16 police officers from the Dolores Municipal Police Station, following an incident that reportedly took place during a Christmas party on December 15.
The action came amid an ongoing probe launched by the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) after social media posts surfaced showing uniformed personnel allegedly consuming alcohol inside the police station while on duty. The images and posts, which circulated widely online, prompted public concern and calls for accountability.
PRO-8 earlier confirmed that it had initiated an investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident and to determine whether existing rules were violated. The regional police office emphasized that drinking alcoholic beverages while on duty or within police premises is expressly forbidden under Philippine National Police regulations.
“An immediate investigation is underway to verify the circumstances surrounding the incident and to determine the accountability of the personnel involved. Should the allegations be proven true, appropriate administrative and disciplinary actions will be imposed in accordance with existing laws and PNP policies,” PRO-8 said in a statement.
The police regional office underscored that it does not tolerate misconduct within its ranks and assured the public that any breach of discipline would be addressed in line with established procedures.
PRO-8 also acknowledged the role of netizens who reported the alleged infraction, noting that public vigilance contributes to transparency and accountability within the police organization.
The relieved officers were reportedly among those seen in posts depicting a group of policemen engaged in a drinking spree inside the Dolores police station, with the gathering described online as part of a Christmas celebration.
