Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has warned overweight police officers to trim down and become physically fit for duty within a year, or face the risk of dismissal from service.
Torre explained that under the PNP law, officers are required to maintain a weight within five kilograms above or below the standard based on their height and age.
“Automatic naa-adjust ‘yan kasi may build nga e. Hindi pwedeng sabihin na overweight ka dahil ganito, dahil bigboned ka. ‘Pag bigboned ka, iko-consider ‘yan ng standard kasi may medical basis ang mga pinaggagawa d’yan,” he told DZMM.
“Ang tatamaan talaga d’yan, yung talagang mataba na di nag-e-exercise at di nagdidyeta,” he said.
Torre explained that the qualifications outlined in the law are considered “continuing in nature,” meaning that failure to meet any of them at any point could result in dismissal from service.
“May mga regulations tayo d’yan. Ang basic d’yan is one year na pinagbibigyan na magkaroon ng chance na maka-comply at makabalik doon sa standard,” the PNP chief said.
To promote physical fitness among its ranks, police officers assigned to the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift are now permitted to end their workday at 3 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday to engage in fitness activities of their choice.
However, those assigned to frontline duties are expected to find time on their own to exercise.
Torre also stressed that officers must be capable of performing at least 40 push-ups — failure to do so could be grounds for dismissal.
“Ang singilan na lang diyan, pagdating ng ating physical fitness test. Wala tayong patawad diyan,” he said.
“Kapag ako’y nagduda at nasalubong ko ‘yang pinasa niyo at pina-pushup ko at hindi kaya ang 40 pushups. Hahanapin ko kung sino ang nagpapasa sa kanya—kasama siya sa ating idi-dismiss,” he warned.
PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo stated that the physical fitness test is administered every year, covering all ranks from patrolmen to generals.
She highlighted that a police officer’s appearance should convey both respect and authority.
“Ayaw ni Sir na makakita ng antaba-taba kasi kung ang role nga naman ng pulis ay tumakbo, paano ka nga naman makakatakbo kung halos hindi mo na mabitbit ang sarili mo?” Fajardo said.