NAPOLCOM pursues charges vs. Pasig cop

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) will pursue administrative charges against Police Staff Sergeant Ryne Rene R. Balisi of the Pasig City Police following an alleged gun-toting incident at a gasoline station in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City, on 25 October.

During a press briefing at the NAPOLCOM Central Office in Quezon City on Wednesday, NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson and Commissioner Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan said a formal complaint had already been filed against Balisi, making a motu proprio investigation unnecessary.

The complaint is expected to proceed under the administrative charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

Cellphone videos of the incident showed the off-duty officer allegedly intoxicated and walking unsteadily while carrying his service firearm and pointing it at a vehicle being refueled along Sandoval Avenue.

Barangay authorities responded after a concerned citizen sought assistance, leading to Balisi's arrest by the Pasig City Police. He has since posted bail but remains under restrictive custody at the Eastern Police District headquarters while administrative proceedings are pursued.

Calinisan condemned the alleged misconduct, stressing that personal problems do not justify drunken behavior, threatening civilians, or the irresponsible use of firearms.

He said such incidents erode public confidence in the police, particularly when those entrusted with enforcing the law become a source of fear.

“Lahat naman tayo nagkakaproblema, pero kung idadaan natin yung problema natin sa pag-iinom, panggugulo, paglalabas ng baril at pang-aapekto sa ibang tao, eh hindi ito maaari,” Calinisan said.

“More is expected from us. I think we fell short here… nanira ng tiwala ng tao, that’s why ito yung kailangan natin i-repair by swiftly acting on this case, and imposing the correct punishment,” he added.

Beyond the case, Calinisan emphasized the need to strengthen mental health and welfare support for police personnel, recognizing the demands and pressures of police work.

He said NAPOLCOM had identified the need during visits to police stations and had reached out to professional organizations to help provide appropriate assistance.

“Kaya even before this incident, nakita na natin yun, when we go down sa mga police stations, nakiusap tayo na kailangan ng ating mga kapulisan ng ating tulong sa kanilang mental state, kasi napakahirap magpulis, napakahirap ng trabaho ng pulis,” he said.

Calinisan said NAPOLCOM had coordinated with Dr. Miriam P. Cue, chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology under the Professional Regulation Commission, who had committed to helping police personnel through screening and access to professional mental health consultations.

He added that the commission was laying the groundwork to ensure officers receive appropriate support throughout their service.

“But we are doing the groundwork in making sure that our policemen are okay because NAPOLCOM wants our policemen to be okay. So sana mapagtuunan pa ng pansin ang mental health ng pulis. Makakaasa po kayo na iniisip po namin kayo araw-araw,” Calinisan said.

He also called for stricter police recruitment and screening, emphasizing that applicants must undergo comprehensive background investigations and proper neuropsychiatric evaluations without bribery or favoritism.

“Kailangan yung recruitment complete background investigation at dapat dumaan sa tamang neuro-psychiatric evaluation. Kailangan hindi dapat nababayaran, hindi naaareglo, walang palakasan diyan,” he said.

Calinisan reiterated that the commission would not tolerate officers who get drunk, brandish firearms, and threaten the public. At the same time, he urged the public and mental health professionals to help ensure police personnel receive appropriate support.

“Our policemen need help,” he said, appealing to mental health professionals to volunteer their services and help expand support for police personnel.

He thanked Cue, psychologists, and psychometricians who had expressed willingness to assist, and called for open discussions on mental health to help break the stigma surrounding it.

“Nation building is everyone’s concern, so hangga’t maaari po, magtulungan po tayo para sa ikagaganda ng ating Philippine National Police,” Calinisan said.

He stressed that accountability, rigorous recruitment, and sustained mental health support must work together to build a disciplined, professional, and more effective police force.