MANILA — The head of the Metro Manila police's training center was removed from his post due to a drinking session that involved 16 recruits, the Philippine National Police said Tuesday.

The 16 recruits of the National Capital Region Training Center posted photos online of their Jan. 29 drinking session inside their dormitory at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, said PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa.

Gamboa said he removed from their posts NCRTC Director Lt. Col. Nelvin Ricohermoso and 14 other trainers.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier prohibited policemen from drinking in public places, noted the PNP chief.

Despite completing the police training, the 16 recruits who were involved in the misdemeanor were barred from taking oath as policemen on Monday alongside 200 of their peers, who would receive a monthly starting salary of P29,000, said Gamboa.