PNP dismayed by viral photos of cops wearing diapers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday lamented the “unfair portrayal” of the police force in the viral photos and video showing two persons who looked like cops wearing adult diapers during the papal visit.

In a media briefing, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor stressed that the 28,000 police deployed for the papal visit sacrificed a lot. They stood under the heat of the sun and got drenched in the rain, so their image should not be portrayed negatively.

“We devote more time in serving the people, this is an unfair portrayal of the PNP and their sacrifices in the light of securing the pope and the public,” he added.

Mayor also clarified that the persons in the viral photos and video were not members of the PNP, although they appeared to be policemen.

He explained that the blue T-shirts the two diaper-clad men were wearing were not among the authorized attire of PNP personnel.

Initial verification showed that the “social media experiment” was allegedly made by a certain Paul Agabin, who claimed the act was an effort to raise public awareness on the need for more portalets.

The pictures and video of diaper-wearing policemen went viral after a certain Tony Ahn posted these on his Facebook account.

It was apparently a result of the idea of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino to compel traffic enforcers to wear adult diapers during the feast of the Black Nazarene.

Despite the humiliation of the police force, Mayor said the PNP would not pursue any case against those behind the social media experiment.

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

 Valmoria said what is more important is that “the security aspect of the papal visit was attained.”

During the 1995 World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II was airlifted to the Quirino Grandstand and back because the crowd occupied the route of the papal convoy. But during last week’s papal visit, Pope Francis traveled by land and was able to see the millions of Filipinos who braved the rains just to have a glimpse of him.

Valmoria noted that the use of concrete barriers along the route of the papal convoy and the quadrants at the Quirino Grandstand were effective in crowd control.

“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.”

PNP, AFP, volunteers commended

Reps. Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela City and Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela commended the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and PNP and the civilian volunteers for their splendid job in securing Pope Francis, the areas he visited and the people who participated in the papal activities.

“The AFP and PNP deserve to be congratulated for their discipline and professionalism in securing Pope Francis. The fact that there was no untoward incident during the five-day papal visit showed that our soldiers and policemen are hardworking and truly world-class when it comes to securing global leaders,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian noted that the successful crowd management skills shown by the PNP and AFP during the papal visit should make them ready for the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) leaders’ summit in November.

But he said there is no room for complacency on the part of the AFP and PNP, since there remains the challenge to improve protective measures for such large-scale deployments and big events.

Albano, for his part, lauded the team President Aquino formed to take charge of papal security for the visit.

“Above all, we have to commend our people,” Albano said.

“The Filipino people also deserve to be congratulated for cooperating with authorities with their good behavior in the five days that Pope Francis was here,” Gatchalian added.

After the successful security operations during the papal visit, the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) is invigorated in pursuing its campaign for peace in the region.

SOLCOM said it would improve its fighting capabilities, adapt to the changing operational environment and keep the enemy on the run. – With Jess Diaz, Non Alquitran, Michelle Zoleta