MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police is pushing the hype over the “motionless” cop one step further.

After rewarding him with cash and a promotion, the PNP will try to get worldwide recognition for Police Officer 2 Danilo Malab Jr. for his service as an honor guard during last week’s funeral march for former President Corazon Aquino.

The PNP has asked the Guinness Book of World Records to cite Malab’s feat of standing still for almost nine hours without food or rest on the adorned truck that brought Aquino’s casket to the cemetery on Aug. 5.

PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina yesterday said an online application had been sent on behalf of the rookie cop to the Guinness office in England.

“This is for standing at attention for the longest time in a funeral procession under the heat of the sun, and alternately under the rain, while in full dress gala uniform for the late President,” Espina said.

The PNP did some research online to check whether records similar to Malab’s feat had been set before.

It came across one Guinness entry on Joaquim Suresh, a Sri Lankan who currently holds the record for the longest time spent standing motionless at 21 hours and 30 minutes.

But the PNP remained confident Malab would earn his own spot in the Guinness book.

A different category

Espina noted that Suresh performed his stunt under a controlled environment, while Malab remained on his feet on a moving truck, at times under the rain, and occasionally hit by coins mourners crowding the streets then tossed in the direction of Aquino’s coffin as a farewell ritual.

“(Malab may be cited) under a different category ... apart from records like that held by Suresh. Malab stood motionless under different circumstances,” Espina said.

He said the PNP was ready to submit photos and video footage of Malab’s hours on the truck if required by Guinness.

“They will deliberate (on our application) for three to four weeks. We have to wait for the results. They will communicate with us and let’s see from there how the process will go,” he said.

AFP’s turn

It was the first time the PNP sought a citation from the international record body.

Malab, 25, and three counterparts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, reaped praises, medals, cash rewards, and unexpected publicity after delivering what their superiors called an “exemplary performance” escorting the Aquino cortege.

The three other members of the honor guard were Private First Class Antonio Cadiente, Airman 2nd Class Gener Laguindam and Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez.

Asked whether the AFP would also apply for a Guinness listing on behalf of Cadiente and company, military spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said: “It’s not for us to do. It would be self-serving.”

“But if a third party would do that, we will not prevent them,” Brawner told the Inquirer.