'Size 34' Bato won't impose waistline limit on PNP

MANILA, Philippines – Amid the call of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, former Philippine National Police chief, to limit the waistline of the whole police force, PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he has no plans to do that.

Dela Rosa said he will not impose a waistline limit of 34 inches, but said he will encourage oversized uniformed personnel to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“Ako, honestly, maganda sana talaga ‘yan, gawin natin 34 (inches) but hindi ko impose ‘yan. I will encourage them to reduce, pero hindi ko gawing requirement kasi ‘pag may hindi makapasa, tapos tatanggalin sa serbisyo that would be too much already,” dela Rosa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.

Lacson, who served as the nation’s top cop under the Estrada administration, urged the PNP to set a waistline limit following the decision of National Police Commission to remove the height requirement for aspiring cops.

The senator said, as the PNP chief, the burly dela Rosa should be an example to his subordinates.

“To be honest with you, 34 ang aking waistline. Tingnan mo pantalon ko 34 (inches), 36 (inches) nga maluwag pa sa akin e,” dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa, who celebrated his 56th birthday on Sunday, said the PNP has its own program that cops can follow to lose weight. He reiterated that he will not force his men to go down to 34 inches.

“Baka may mamatay na pulis dyan kakareduce, hindi kakain. Marami tayong program para liliit ‘yung pulis tulungan natin sila magreduce, pero hindi puwede tanggalin sa serbisyo dahil they failed to comply with the 34-inch requirement,” he said.

In a Senate hearing last year, dela Rosa lamented the poor discipline and training of cops after two stout low-ranking policemen were involved in the killing of 19-year-old Carl Arnaiz in Caloocan City.

“Just look at them. They are both PO1 and look at their stomach. Kaka-graduate lang from training,” Dela Rosa said.