Maganto told to explain absence from fitness tests

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson ordered yesterday Superintendent Romeo Maganto to explain in writing why he failed to undergo physical fitness tests last month.

When he assumed his post last year, Lacson ordered mandatory physical fitness tests to all policemen nationwide to keep them physically fit because their bulging stomachs were interpreted as a sign of corruption.

Lacson said the fitness test was merely the implementation of Republic Act 8551, or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act, a law to "professionalize" the organization. Under the law, all policemen are required to maintain a waistline not bigger than 34 inches.

In a memorandum, Lacson said Maganto, who is presently detailed at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as chief of the Special Task Force-Katapat II, should submit a letter of justification for his absence during the physical fitness tests last October.

The STAR learned that a copy of the memorandum was faxed to the office of DILG Secretary Alfredo Lim, who appointed Maganto as chief of the Katapat II, tasked to seize loose firearms.

Some observers viewed Lacson’s memorandum as legitimate, others could not help but suspect that "an old issue" between the PNP chief and Maganto could have triggered the order.

"Maganto is known as an anti-PMAyers (graduates of Philippine Military Academy) being an organic policeman who rose from the ranks," an observer added.

It was gathered that Maganto was one of the very few policemen in Metro Manila who did not show up despite the stern orders of Lacson for the mandatory fitness tests.

For his part, Maganto said he had been religiously attending the fitness sessions and had never avoided the tests. He said he was merely on an out-of-town trip as tasked by the interior secretary.

"I did not avoid it because I have a 32-inch waistline which is two inches smaller than the required waistline," Maganto said.