Stop carrying VIPs' umbrellas, police told

POLICE officers will no longer be allowed to carry umbrellas for VIPs, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Monday.

«I want to bring back the dignity of our uniform,» Marbil said in a speech during the flag ceremony in Camp Crame, the PNP headquarters.

Marbil said that during PNP anniversary ceremonies, he sees lower-ranked officers like corporals carrying umbrellas for dignitaries and guests.

Policemen are not bodyguards, drivers, or personal aides, he said.

In May, nine police officers were sacked, including Special Action Force personnel and seven of their superiors, after they were found to be moonlighting as bodyguards for a Chinese businessman.

In October 2023, an officer was also relieved for halting traffic on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to clear the way for an unidentified VIP. The officer has been reinstated since.