Cops securing APEC get portalets, portable showers

MANILA, Philippines - Police officers securing delegates to the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit have been provided with portable toilets, makeshift showers, mats, chocolate bars and catering.

Providing basic necessities was among the innovations of some commanders to ensure the welfare of police officers enduring heat and rain, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said.

“Early in the morning, upon deployment the policemen were given chocolate bars while the caterers prepared their food,” he said.

“We brought booths with shower heads, portalets (portable toilets) were being served twice a day. Policewomen were given decent billeting.”

Marquez commended Ilocos region police director Chief Superintendent Ericson Velasquez for taking the initiative to provide medicine, hygiene and food for his police officers sent to Metro Manila for APEC-related duties.

“Some commanders have been very resourceful, they visualize what their people would need, the kind of commanders we are looking for,” he said.

“There are two important tasks of a commander, make sure the mission is accomplished and make sure that the welfare of our men is well taken care of. We brought our country to that pedestal; we can do it.”

Marquez said deploying a huge number of police officers is basically new for the PNP.

“Never in our lives have we experienced that kind of huge deployment so part of the recommendations is to make sure our people are well taken care of,” he said.

“We procured flu vaccines so that when they are exposed to the elements, like rains and heat of the sun, they have not only vitamin C.”

Marquez said recognition would be given to police officers who had performed and come up with innovations for the wellbeing of their subordinates.

“In the past, that (basic necessities) was unthinkable,” he said.

“The training was that hard, you have to look for something that nourishes you. Thinking that by providing these basic things they will level up, and the result is good-performing people in the long term. The government is providing resources, what we need is good management.”

The Directorate for Logistics also procured 7,500 raincoats intended for the APEC operations.

Marquez encouraged officers to come forward regarding reports about spoiled lunch to allow the PNP to take action on the matter.

“The caterer will be blacklisted and we have a list of who is catering to who,” he said.