PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa yesterday said he is set to sign an order requiring all police personnel to comply with the Body Mass Index that sets the ideal weight of people based on their height and age.
In a press briefing in Camp Crame, Gamboa said policemen who fail to comply with his order will be denied of schooling, which is required in their bid for promotion in position and in rank.
“If they are not compliant with the BMI, you will be denied of schooling. Until you comply with the BMI requirements, that’s the only time you can go on schooling,” Gamboa said.
“This hurts because there are schooling that are required for certain positions and there are schooling that are required for certain promotions,” said Gamboa.
He said the order will cover all policemen — from generals down to the lowest ranking patrolman. However, he did not say when he will sign the order.
“This will go through the ranks of the PNP, from patrolman up to the generals. All policemen should be conscious about their weight,” said Gamboa.
He said being healthy is not only about the image of the PNP but is also beneficial to individual cops.
“If you are you are not going to maintain your health, you may not be able to reach your retirement (age of 56),” he said.
Gamboa disclosed that he is four pounds heavier than his ideal weight of 172 pounds.
“I’m 55 years old, 5’6 1/2 in height. My ideal weight, based on the standard, is 172 pounds. As of this morning, I am in excess of four pounds because of the Yuletide season but by Friday, I will comply with my 172 pounds,” said Gamboa.
This is not the first time the PNP is requiring policemen to be fit. During the time of PNP chief and now Sen. Panfilo Lacson, policemen were told to meet certain waistline requirements or face dismissal from the service.
Earlier yesterday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año urged policemen to be the “best version” of themselves.
Año said policemen should have good physical appearance, including grooming.
“Be physically strong, be physically fit. As a policeman, you should be strong and should be in a good state of health. How can you chase a criminal if you are not physically fit?” Ano said.
