PNP chief bans policemen from holding umbrellas for VIPs
Policemen should stop holding umbrellas for VIPs and acting as if they're their bodyguards. Instead, they must uphold the law—all while observing human rights.
This was the gentle reminder of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Marbil during a flag-raising ceremony at the PNP National Headquarters in Quezon City on Aug. 12.
"I want to bring back the dignity of our uniform," Marbil said in his speech captured on video.
The top cop said he's banning uniformed personnel, especially those in the lower ranks, from being umbrella carriers, especially during anniversary ceremonies. He didn't name any particular official whom policemen do such services.
"Hindi na po 'yan. Hindi na po tama 'yan. Hindi po ganyan ang trabaho ng pulis," Marbil said. "Ipakita po natin na tayo'y taong may dignidad."
He emphasized that policemen aren't bodyguards or drivers.
"Hindi po tayo alalay. Hindi po tayo bayaran," he said. "Pulis tayo ng bayan. Pulis tayo sa lahat."
He further asked his fellow policemen to do what's right and uphold the law.
"Gumawa lang po tayo ng tama. 'Wag po kayo matakot. Ito lang po ang gagawin natin, hindi po kayo magkakamali," he said. "You have a choice and a chance to do good. A chance to make a difference."
Earlier in his speech, Marbil also called on the police to observe human rights—in the context of the drug war.
Upon assuming office in 2016, the Duterte administration launched its flagship bloody war on drugs called Oplan Tokhang, which saw the execution of thousands of suspected drug peddlers, users, and small-time criminals.
Based on the government's "Real Numbers" data, a total of 6,229 individuals were killed during anti-drug operations from July 1, 2016, to Jan. 31, 2022.
Rights groups, however, estimated that the number of deaths from the bloody anti-narcotics campaign reached as high as 27,000.
"Habang nandito kayo sa Pilipinas, alalahanin natin na lahat ng tao may pag-asa," he said. "Wala po tayong karapatan na kunin ang buhay ng ibang tao."
"We are called law enforcers. Then we enforce the law in a proper order," he added.
He also urged the police force to break stereotypes and disprove generalizations of being brutal and corrupt.
"Let us show them na iba na 'yung pulis natin," Marbil said. "Ito na po 'yung pulis na maaasahan, pulis na mapagkakatiwalaan, pulis ng ating bayan."