Crame opens own KTV lounge, but GROs banned

The best way to suppress coup attempts, or at least rumors of such unsavory activities, may be the chance to sing the blues away and enough space to hang loose. Minus the guest relations officers (GROs).

A well-appointed recreational and social lounge for the country’s police generals has just been inaugurated at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City

A gift from taxpayers, the "Star Officers’ Lounge" is hardly a place for plotting coups and other illicit activities.

Amenities include two Sony 41-inch flat color television sets, a set of KTV Home Theater equipment, four sofa sets, a dining table, a conference table, five air-conditioning units, and provisions for cable television and telephone lines.

The lounge also has a bar counter, a mini-home theater and KTV room, an office for the PNP chief, a dining and living area, receiving area, two comfort rooms and a kitchen.

The Star Officers’ Lounge will not allow GROs, PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza stressed.

"At least our police officers can spend their time here. But GROs are banned," said Mendoza.

PNP officials said its leadership shelled out close to P3 million from its budget for the construction of the officers’ lounge, which is also off-limits to the generals’ wives.

Mendoza and his top generals, with their wives in tow, inaugurated yesterday the 234-square meter Star Officers’ Lounge, located at the ground floor of the PNP headquarters.

Sources said a spa and a weight-lifting area were included in the original plan for the police generals to enjoy during their leisure time. But the plan was scrapped, sources said.

Deputy Director General Rex Piad, chief of the Directorial Staff, said the generals’ lounge wil boost the morale of police officials. "We want our flagship officers to have some pride. They are often left out in gatherings," he said.

Outgoing police community relations chief Director Thompson Lantion noted that PNP officials often envy their counterparts at the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Army because they have their own officers’ lounges.

To inaugurate the lounge, PNP Intelligence head Chief Superintendent Roberto Delfin serenaded the generals’ wives with his rendition of My Way, I Left My Heart in San Francisco and Matud Nila.

Director Edgar Galvante, the PNP deputy chief for Operations, sang Bikining Itim while PNP Comptroller Cecilio Penilla also sang his favorite songs before the PNP Ladies’ Club at the Home/KTV Theater.