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'Breaker of chains': Marbil stops practice of turning low-ranking cops into 'slaves'

Philippines | National

'Breaker of chains': Marbil stops practice of turning low-ranking cops into 'slaves'

By Aaron Recuenco

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has put an end to the practice of turning lower-ranking policemen into slaves by senior officers and even high-profile personalities who turn them into errand boys.

“Let us respect our uniform, let us bring back the dignity of our uniform,” said Marbil as he explained why he prohibited all policemen from being drivers, personal bodyguards and even umbrella holders of some people.

Marbil’s order stemmed from his personal observation wherein uniformed personnel would hold the umbrellas for high-profile personalities.

There were also persistent reports of policemen being turned into personal and family drivers of some VIPs, especially those assigned to the Police Security Protection Group (PSPG).

“It is not the police job to carry an umbrella for somebody. It is not the job of the police to be a personal assistant, personal driver and personal bodyguard of anybody,” said Marbil.

The usual victims of such practice, according to Marbil, are the new recruits with the rank of Patrolman.

Marbil emphasized that being somebody’s errand is not the job description of the police.

“The Filipino people are paying us to serve them on the aspect of peace and order. That is our job so we should stick to it,” said Marbil.

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