PNP commanders tasked to look after personnel’s mental health, too

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Just like ordinary mortals, police are also not spared from depression, misery, unhappiness, or sorrow.

In the past months, three personnel in Iloilo province were reported to have died after committing suicide.

In a world where machismo is dominant, does the Philippine National Police (PNP) embark on programs and activities to address the mental health of its personnel?

Yes, according to no less than PNP chief General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar.

The country’s top cop was in Iloilo since Wednesday for a 5-day command visit to police offices and stations all over Western Visayas.

“Actually, through our Health Service, may mga programa tayo na ‘yung mga pulis natin na nasa serbisyo na, magkaroon ng mga tamang test like the newsroom-psychiatric test,” he said.

Before, the neuro-psychiatric test is mandatory only when a police officer applies for promotion or goes to schooling, on top of the application to enter PNP service.

“But now, every three years or less than that pa, we are pushing for that,” he said.

On top of that, it is the responsibility of every commander to know the situation of his or her subordinates, Eleazar pointed out.

“Itong mga depression nagma-manifest, not overnight. They should have observed that. As part of the policy, these commanders if they observed na may mga pulis sila na may ganitong manifestation, ilalapit kaagad ‘yan sa Health Service for appropriate action,” he said.

The latest case of an alleged suicide incident involving a police officer happened September 26 in Pavia, Iloilo.

The 39-year-old cop assigned to the Explosives Ordnance Division (EOD)-K-9 unit, which holds office at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) headquarters in Camp Sumagaysay, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, was found hanging inside the garage of his house.

There were reports, though, that the victim was suffering from depression following some financial and marital problems.

Last September 5, an IPPO member also died due to alleged accidental gun firing.

The 39-year-old cop succumbed to a gunshot on the head.

The incident happened around 5:30 in the morning at the victim’s house at Barangay Cuartero, Jaro, Iloilo City.

On July 20, a rookie policeman was also found lifeless with a gunshot wound at a secluded area in Miag-ao, Iloilo.