PNP disappointed with viral photos of cops in diapers

A huge crowd faces a long barrier of policemen as they patiently wait for the motorcade of Pope Francis to pass by along Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Thursday (January 15, 2015). (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed their disappointment after photos and video featuring policemen wearing diapers went viral on social media.

The photos and video were posted by Tony Ahn on his personal Facebook account on Tuesday. This was apparently a result of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino’s order for traffic enforcers to wear diapers during the feast of the Black Nazarene.

According to PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, they will not file any case against those who spearheaded the said social media experiment.

“They have nothing better to do with their lives,” seconded National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria.

He added, “[The more important thing is that the security aspect of the papal visit was attained.”

It can be recalled that during the 1995 World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II had to be airlifted to and from Quirino Grandstand because of the lax crowd control. Comparing that with the recent visit of Pope Francis, everything went smoothly.

Valmoria said that the use of concrete barriers were a big help and effective in controlling the crowd.

“There was pushing and shoving, but it was normal among us Catholics who wanted to get closer to the pope and be blessed by him,” he said.