Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Marbil has ordered a stop to police officers carrying umbrellas for VIPs.
Marbil said that such an act is not part of a police officer’s job and considers it is degrading for persons in uniform.
“I want to bring back the dignity of our uniform,” Marbil said in his speech after the regular Monday flag ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
“I am now prohibiting that. Every time we have an anniversary, we see police in uniform, especially those with the rank of corporal or those in lower ranks, carrying umbrellas,” he added.
“That’s not right. That’s not the job of the police. Let’s respect our uniform. Let’s show that we are a people with dignity, and not a mere person. We are police, not a bodyguard, not a driver, and not a helper. We are not paid lackeys, we are police,” said Marbil.
It was not clear what triggered Marbil’s directive but the PNP has been criticized because some of its personnel have acted as bodyguards for influential personalities.
