PNP Official Says Almost 50% Of Philippine Police Are Overweight
PH COPS OVERWEIGHT – According to Philippine Nation Police (PNP), officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, almost 50% of the Philippine police force is overweight.
Recently, the PNP announced that they would impose a weight requirement for their police force. According to them, if they want to advance in their career they would need to physically fit.
Based on a statement from Gamboa, 102,600 police officers or 54 percent are at their ideal weight. Meanwhile, 9 percent or 17,100 are obese. Following this, the rest of the police force are overweight.
In addition, he said that obese or overweight police officers would have to face “consequences” including being barred from promotions if they fail to meet a healthy BMI.
Based on Gamboa’s statements, those who do not meet the BMI requirements would be denied schooling (classes) required for career advancement. “Up until you comply with BMI requirements, that’s the only time that you can go on schooling“, said Gamboa.
According to an article from PhilStar, Gamboa said the consequences were meant to encourage the police officers to start a healthier lifestyle.
He said that he ordered regional directors and unit heads to undergo a weight reduction program based on officers’ Body Mass Index (BMI). This indicates what weight a person should be with respect to their height.
Gamboa himself stated that he neede to shed a few pounds to meet the ideal weight requirements. According to an article from CNN, police must maintain a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 to be part of the police force.
Following this, he noted that the Filipino public demands much of the PNP. In an interview with DZMM, he said stated that police can’t chase criminals if they are too big.
Back in 2019, then PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde mandated the National Police Training Institute to require recruits to keep-up their BMI before graduating from basic training.
Like this article? READ ALSO: Philippine Airlines Apologizes To American Singer For “Overweight” Bag