MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Cops can no longer play golf during weekdays, Philippine National Police officer-in-charge (OIC) Lieutenant General Archie Francisco  Gamboa announced on Wednesday, October 16.

Gamboa volunteered the information in an ambush interview with reporters after the turnover of Metro Manila police chiefs in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

“I am now declaring that there will be no more golf during weekdays. Nobody is exempted down, starting from the officer-in-charge down to the lowest mammal in the Philippine National Police,” said Gamboa.

The PNP OIC told reporters that he signed the order on Tuesday night, October 15, or a day after the resignation of PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde.

Gamboa said the ban would not cover weekends and holidays. “Let’s not deprive them of that,” he said.

Asked to explain the rationale for the order, Gamboa told reporters to “deduce” for themselves. 

He added that it has something to do with the “people” police spend time with during games, hinting at politicians and businessmen with interests in police matters.

The order is apparently part of Gamboa’s bid to win back public confidence in the police, following the drug-related controversy that prompted Albayalde to resign, and cast doubt on the credibility of the PNP. 

The night before, the PNP held a command conference in Malacañang with President Rodrigo Duterte. Gamboa refused to disclose whether the order came from the meeting. – Rappler.com