Napolcom issues amended rules for VIP escorts

MANILA, Philippines - The National Police Commission (Napolcom) issued Friday amended guidelines on uniforms that should be worn by police officers assigned to protect VIPs or very important persons.

Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Eduardo Escueta said police officers must wear the general office attire Type B when securing VIPs during official functions and the athletic or multi-use uniform with PNP-issued pants when escorting VIPs in disaster, relief and rescue operations.

He said the VIPs may require their police escorts to wear barongs, bush jackets, suits or suitable clothes – which the VIP shall provide – during official functions or when in a critical area where the police uniform may cause unnecessary threats or danger to the VIP or the police officers.

“For purposes of proper identification, all protective security police personnel are required to carry with them their respective identification cards, letter order, acknowledgment receipt of equipment and/or permit to carry firearms outside of residence, as the case may be,” Escueta said.

Under the government’s existing policies, the president, vice president, Senate president, speaker of the House of Representatives, chief justice, and the secretaries of national defense and interior and local government are entitled to police protective security even without a written request, he said.

Cabinet secretaries, senators, congressmen and local chief executives are also provided with protective security upon approval of their written request by the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

Former presidents and their spouses, former vice presidents and former PNP chiefs are also entitled to police protective security.