QC Hall police clearance chief relieved amid probe into alleged lunch break service halt

MANILA (UPDATE)  — The chief of the Police Clearance Section assigned to the Quezon City Hall has been relieved from his post pending an investigation into a social media complaint alleging that clearance services were interrupted during lunch break on Monday, October 12.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the entire police clearance team had been directed to explain the incident to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Co said investigators are checking police clearance processing logs to determine whether personnel stopped serving applicants simultaneously, as alleged in the social media post.

“Ang allegation dito or complaint is that during the lunch break, tumigil lahat. Nakapila ‘yung marami pero sila nag-celebrate, nagkakantahan ng birthday song, tapos kumakain, sabay-sabay kumain,” Co said.

However, Co said initial findings showed that police clearances were still being processed during the period in question, based on computer-generated transaction logs.

“Initially, nakita natin na hindi naman tumigil. Nakita natin na during that time, nagse-serve sila. Kasi ‘yung pagpa-process ng ano ay naka-log ‘yan sa computer kung anong oras. So ‘yun ang isang tinitignan natin kung talagang tumigil between the time na sinasabi, ‘yung 12 [nn] to 1 [pm],” he said.

Co acknowledged that the number of applications processed could naturally decrease during lunch break, but stressed that police personnel are expected to take turns eating to ensure services continue.

“Kailangan rin kumain ng ating mga tao. We all understand that, but meron tayong tinatawag natin alternate lunch break, alternating ‘yung pagkain,” he explained.

The QCPD director is also coordinating with the person who posted the complaint, whom police are asking to provide any available video or other evidence that could help establish what happened.

Co said the PNP would implement corrective measures if the investigation confirms that clearance services were halted altogether.

He also emphasized that the PNP chief considers discipline and public service among the organization’s priorities, saying applicants should not be made to wait unnecessarily when seeking police clearance.

Co said the relief of the personnel was a temporary measure while the investigation is underway, emphasizing that he would be given due process.