MANILA - Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Monday reminded all police station commanders to strictly implement the "3-strike policy" as part of the PNP internal disciplinary mechanism.

"Iyung 3 tao sa isang police station, gumawa ng kalokohan, ma-relieve 'yung station commander, 3 station commander. This is to emphasize the concept of command responsibility kasi kung walang command responsibility kanya kanya 'yan. Napakahirap na organization walang command responsibility iyung commanders," Dela Rosa said.

Under PNP Memorandum Circular No. 2017-13, or the PNP Internal Cleansing Strategy, an administrative relief of the unit commander will occur if three personnel of a particular unit are proven positive for drug use, arrested by other units for involvement in heinous and high-profile crimes, or when personnel involved in illegal activities are not acted upon.

"The commander must be informed, must know everything, must be on top of the situation," he said. "Kailangan kung ikaw ay station commander, you should know what each and every policeman under your command is doing. Kung hindi mo alam iyan, you have no business being a commander. Kaya siniguro natin ganun para managot talaga ang mga commander. Kasi may ibang commander diyan na position lang just to enjoy the perks of being a commander."

According to Dela Rosa, police commanders need to be vigilant in monitoring their staff and implementing strict disciplinary measures.

"Ayaw magtrabaho, ayaw makiaalam sa kalokohan ng mga kanyang mga tauhan. Hanggang sa naging sindikato na iyung mga tao niyan. Sa ngayon wala pa. Magkakaroon kami ng command conference ngayon at 'yan ang pinaka-meat ng aming command conference even with or without this memo," he said.

Dela Rosa said all unit commanders of police community precincts or equivalent units will be relieved should they be caught with personnel involved in extortion, "hulidap", and related illegal activities.

The PNP has launched the Counter Intelligence Task Force (CITF) to identify and conduct case buildup against cops involved in illegal activities.