Cops need push-ups, stretching to shed weight, corrupt image

MANILA, Philippines—Some push-ups, stretching are needed by the Philippine police to flatten their fat bellies and shed corrupt image, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Friday.

The former Philippine National Police chief, who attended the change of command ceremonies at Camp Crame, said policemen needed exercise to make them physically fit for the job.

“Pinagmamasdan ko yung mga ibang pulis may mga malalaki tiyan eh. (As I was looking at the policemen, I noticed that some of them have big bellies),” Lacson said.

He theorized that new PNP chief Nicanor Bartolome was a “fitness buff.”

“I think he is a physical fitness buff so I think he will really implement physical fitness,” Lacson said.

“They need this for their integrity,” he said.

Political cartoons have always portrayed corrupt policemen as big bellied men.

Bartolome agreed, vowing that personnel physical fitness will be a part of the PNP’s program.