Newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has vowed to reduce the daily duty hours of policemen from 12 to eight, citing concerns over excessive work schedules that lead to fatigue.
“I will really implement an eight-hour duty on our policemen, why? Because they are also human beings, they are not machines,” said Torre.
Currently, some policemen are required to be on duty 12 hours a day or 72 hours per week – a practice Torre noted as a violation of the labor code, which only allows 40 hours per week.
“You know, our policemen are working right now for 72 hours. So we will try to make a system that will reduce the working hours. But in exchange, we will be looking for quality time,” said Torre.
By quality time, Torre said he wants every policeman to be focused on the job and in the performance of all the duties that a uniformed PNP member is tasked to do.
“After this and you still see policemen sleeping while on duty, especially here in Metro Manila, just tell me and we will dismiss them immediately,” said Torre. (Aaron Recuenco)
