MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa has embarked on a campaign against fat cops, even directing an overweight police general to go on a yogurt diet to lose weight.
Gamboa said they would be strictly enforcing the body mass index, or BMI, wherein a police officer is required to maintain his ideal weight.
To ensure strict compliance, Gamboa said overweight police officers would be barred from attending training and other types of schooling for career advancement and promotion.
“You will be denied schooling until you comply with the BMI requirements,” he said at a press briefing yesterday at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
When prodded by a reporter if his order also covers generals, Gamboa said he and other high-ranking police officials are included – down to the lowest-ranking police non-commissioned officers. He even ordered an overweight general to lose weight, but did not disclose the name of the general.
“I know who you are referring to. He has a particular target. I reminded him last week and he has started having yoghurt,” Gamboa said in a mix of English and Filipino, eliciting laughter from members of the media.
When asked if he was referring to National Capital Region Police Office acting director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, Gamboa said in a text message: “No comment.”
Gamboa himself admitted he had some catching up to do, as he is four pounds over his ideal weight of 172 pounds.
The intensified weight loss program in the PNP is in compliance with the directive of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, putting emphasis on physical fitness for police officers.
In his speech during the flag-raising rites at Camp Crame, Año stressed that police officers should always be physically strong and fit to meet the demands of their job.
“As police, we need to have good health. How can we run after criminals if we are not physically fit?” Año said.
Sinas willing to step down
Sinas, on the other hand, said yesterday he is willing to step down from his post over his weight.
He said he has no issue with the directive of Gamboa for overweight cops to lose weight.
“(If they relieve me) because of that, I have no problem. I will get out,” he told reporters in an ambush interview after a press briefing on security preparations for the Black Nazarene procession at the Quiapo Church in Manila.
Sinas, who is known for his strict observance of protocols, said he would follow Gamboa’s directive and lose weight.
“That’s the policy, we have to follow,” he said.