Eleazar wants ‘psycho’ check on all policemen

At least every 3 years to ensure mental fitness

On Jun 28, 2021

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) director general, P/Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Tolentino Eleazar, has directed the PNP Health Service to prepare recommendations for the psychiatric-psychological examination (PPE) of all police personnel.

Eleazar issued the directive after a drunk member of the Manila Police District (MPD) went on a rampage last June 25, 2021, at the MPD headquarters, along UN Avenue, Manila and in the process killed one of his colleagues while seriously wounding another before also being killed.

Past 11:00 pm on Friday night, Police Executive Master Sergeant Reynante Dipasupil, while reportedly drunk, went on a shooting rampage inside the MPD headquarters.

Aside from wounding P/SSgt. Reynaldo Cordova, Dipasupil also started shooting at the various offices at the MPD, including the office of MPD Director P/BGen. Leo Francisco.

The glass door leading to the office of MPD director, P/BGen. Leo Francisco, was shattered to pieces after it was shot by P/MSgt. Reynante Dipasupil, last June 25, 2021. Dipasupil, who was reportedly drunk, went amok at the MPD headquarters in Manila and started firing his service gun, in the process not only destroying the office of Francisco but also killing a colleague, before he too, was shot dead by fellow police officers (ctto).

The commotion prompted elements of the MPD Special Weapons and Tactics team to try to neutralize Dipasupil.

The ensuing firefight also resulted to the death of P/MSgt. Romeo Cantal.

Eleazar said the Health Service recommendations will be included in coming up with guidelines that would be observed in the regular assessment of emotional and the state of mental health of all policemen.

“This recent incident at MPD, along with previous ones, highlights the need for us to closely look into the overall state of our men.

“Hindi nagtatapos sa kung paano nila ginagawa ang kanilang trabaho, kasama dito ang pagtingin sa kanilang physical, emotional at lalo na ang kanilang mental state,” the Chief PNP said.

Eleazar earlier said that he was considering a conduct of PPE for all policemen at least every three years as part of the effort to further improve the general welfare of PNP personnel, especially those involved in ground operations.

He also extend his sympathy to the families of those who died in the bloody incident.

“Sinasaluduhan natin ang mga pulis na pumigil sa paga-amok nitong si Dipasupil, partikular si PMSG Romeo Cantal na nagbuwis ng kanyang buhay.

“We grieve with the family of Sgts. Dipasupil and Cantal and we assure them of our assistance, along with another policeman (Cordova) who was wounded during that attack,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar added he was assured by Francisco of a thorough investigation of the incident.

“Kailangan alamin ng MPD ang tunay na dahilan, bukod sa kalasingan, kung bakit nag-amok at namaril itong si PEMS Reynante Dipasupil ng kanyang mga kabaro.”

“The investigation I ordered on the unfortunate incident at the Manila Police District goes beyond the shooting as this includes other aspects such as possible mental health issues of all our personnel,” Eleazar added.