Solon wants ‘no tattoos’ requirement for PNP, AFP recruits lifted

Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles on Sunday urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to lift some of their "archaic" requirements for recruits, including the "no tattoo" rule.

In a statement, Nograles said barring the entry of capable and well-meaning Filipinos in the ranks of military and police organizations just because they have tattoos is "quite archaic," as tattoos are no longer taboo today.

Recruitment of an individual with tattoos is currently prohibited by the PNP, the AFP and the Coast Guard as there are viewed as "physical defects" that "demerit or disqualify their application."

"I know a lot of people who have been declined application into the service on the basis of their having tattoos. They said that it felt unfair to be rejected and I can't help but agree with them," Nograles said.

"Thus, we call for the removal of this ban," he added.

Nograles said it is inappropriate to automatically associate or judge individuals with tattoos as being criminals, rebels or undesirables for their organizations.

"Like the nonsensical minimum height requirement of at least five feet for both the military and police service, the no tattoo rule must be done away with for the simple reason that it is not a good measure of one's capabilities or heart on the battlefield," he noted.

What matters, Nograles said, is that the applicant is physically fit, with good moral character and no criminal record.

"If the applicant meets these requirements then he or she should not be denied the right to serve the country," he added. — Erwin Colcol/BM, GMA News