42% of WV cops are overweight

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Almost half of uniformed personnel of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) have put on weight that is beyond the standard body composition.

Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, said that 5,171 policemen of PRO-6’s 12,104 total strength, or 42.7 percent, are overweight, based on their body mass index records (BMI).

PRO-6 records showed that 6,900 Western Visayas policemen are within the normal BMI while 9 are considered underweight.

BMI measures a person’s weight and height while taking his or her age into consideration.

Using the metric system, it is computed by dividing a person’s weight expressed in kilogram by a person’s height in meters squared (or multiplying the height by itself), or BMI= kg/m².

The BMI is a convenient rule of thumb to broadly categorize a person as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese based on tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) and height.

On top of internal cleansing, Pamuspusan said he will give more premiums on compliance like that of the standard BMI.

Among police and units of PRO-6, it appeared that many “overweight” cops are with Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

IPPO has 1,799 personnel and 1,003 were deemed overweight or around 55.7 percent; 792 are of normal weight, while four are underweight.

On the other hand, 26.2 percent of the PRO-6 regional headquarters’ 2,928 personnel are overweight; Aklan PPO with 45.88 percent; Antique PPO, 48.5 percent; Bacolod City PO, 48.6 percent; Capiz PPO, 48.7 percent; Guimaras, 50.3 percent; Iloilo City PO, 48.14 percent; Negros Occidental PPO, 45 percent; and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, 38 percent.

But based on the latest record, two personnel who were earlier deemed underweight have already “improved.”

On the other hand, 1,619 overweight police personnel have already “complied,” which means that they were able to shed at least two kilograms per month.

“And I’m no exemption. I complied. I lost four kilos in two months but I need to lose 10 more kilos,” Pamuspusan said.

The region’s top cop said that PNP Chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa is serious with his desire for police officers to achieve their desired BMI.

The PRO-6 has reminded its personnel to maintain a healthy and fit body, as part of the PNP’s efforts to serve the public better.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong confirmed that the PNP national headquarters issued a memorandum to take and record each personnel’s BMI as part of the Revitalized PNP Physical Conditioning and Combat Sports Program.

Under the memorandum, Malong said it was not explicitly stated what action will taken against officers who fell short of the ideal BMI.

While having police with good BMI will not equate to good service, Malong said it wouldn’t hurt to have fit and healthy policemen.

To promote the program, the PNP has revitalized its athletics program every Tuesdays and Thursdays.

It can be noted that it was on August 2019 when the PNP strictly adapted BMI as a basis before a police recruit is allowed to be hired as a PNP member.

Police who have not attained their right BMI won’t be allowed to go on schooling and training. Thus, their promotion will also be affected.