PNP: No more ‘umbrella duties’ for cops

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Police officers are no longer allowed to serve as “umbrella assistants” of guests during official events, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said on Monday.

Marbil made the directive during the flag-raising rites in Camp Crame, Quezon City, stressing the need to restore the dignity of the police’s uniform.

The PNP chief said he saw police officers, especially those of low rank, using umbrellas to protect guests from extreme weather during last week’s 123rd Police Service Anniversary celebration.

“Hindi po tama ‘yan. Hindi ganyan ang trabaho ng pulis (That’s not right. That’s not the job of the police). Let us respect our uniform. Ipakita po natin na tayo ay taong may dignidad. Hindi po tayo tao na basta-basta. Pulis po tayo, hindi po tayo bodyguard, hindi po tayo driver, hindi po tayo alalay. Hindi po tayo bayaran, pulis po tayo (Let’s show that we are people with dignity and we are not mere persons. We are police officers, we are not bodyguards, we are not drivers, we are not servants. We are not paid lackeys. We are police officers),” Marbil said.

He said police officers should strive to provide the best service to the public.

“Let us make a difference in people’s lives. Let us show them na iba na yung pulis natin. Eto na yung pulis na maaasahan, pulis na mapagkakatiwalaan (Let us make a difference in people’s lives. Let us show them that the police are different now. The police are reliable and trustworthy),” Marbil said.

In observance of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Day, the PNP chief also reminded police officers to comply with the government’s recalibrated war on drugs.

“We are called law enforcers so let us enforce the law in a proper order. Let us observe human rights. Wala tayong karapatan ng kunin ang buhay ng ibang tao (We do not have any right to take the lives of other people),” he added.

Based on the procedures, the use of firearms should always be the last resort and would only be done if the life of a policeman is in danger.

Marbil also told policemen to do away with the mindset that there are people in the country who are hopeless and therefore, their lives no longer matter.

He said everybody should always be given a chance to change for the better.

Under the recalibrated war on drugs, the government’s campaign prioritizes targeting the sources and supply chains instead of focusing on street-level pushers and users.

The recalibrated strategy will involve intensified intelligence operations and stronger community engagement to identify and dismantle drug trafficking networks.