Quezon City: After requiring police officers to submit affidavits of arrest as proof of accomplishments for promotion, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torres III said police personnel would also have to be physically fit before they move up the ranks.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo stated on Tuesday that Gen. Torres has mandated all police personnel to pass a physical fitness test (PFT) and maintain a normal body mass index (BMI). Those who fail to meet the required BMI will also be denied schooling, which is one of the main prerequisites for promotion.
Fajardo emphasized that the circular clearly states that failing the PFT for two consecutive attempts disqualifies officers from being promoted. In a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City, she elaborated that the policy also restricts officers from availing schooling or training, thereby urging every police officer to take these requirements seriously as it directly impacts their promotional prospects.
The directive from Gen. Torres to pass both PFT and BMI is part of a broader initiative to professionalize the organization, Fajardo noted. Although physical fitness tests are conducted annually, the current emphasis is on ensuring these tests are conducted with integrity, rather than merely being a formality on paper.
BMI, a measure of body fat based on height and weight applicable to adult men and women, is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. An ideal BMI for most adults ranges from 18.5 to 24.9, with 25 to 29.9 considered overweight, and 30 and above categorized as obese.
Additionally, on Monday, Gen. Torres directed the PNP's Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) to require promotion applicants to submit 'receipts' as proof of arresting criminals, in accordance with Rule 113 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedures. Rule 113 stipulates that a peace officer or private person may arrest without a warrant under certain conditions.
