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DILG chief: Cops with tattoos look like thugs, law offenders


Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año on Wednesday rejected a lawmaker's proposal to lift the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police's (PNP) "no tattoo" rule for potential recruits.

Año, a former AFP chief of staff, said policemen with tattoos creates an impression that they are associated with "thugs and law offenders."

He said a policemen with tattoos "do not register a clean and dignified image," adding that the "no tattoo" rule complements the PNP's "Tamang Bihis" campaign which requires policemen to "wear and use only the prescribed police uniforms, insignias and other accoutrements from accredited suppliers."

He added that the PNP cannot have tattooed new recruits because it is "working to gain public trust and cooperation in its anti-crime and anti-illegal drug efforts."

"Call it old school, but the police service should not only deliver excellent law enforcement service but should be comprised of men and women who acknowledge that they are role models to the people and the youth," Año said.

"We want our police to look dignified, wearing proper uniform, and with no tattoos," he added.

PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana have also thumbed down the proposal of lifting the tattoo prohibition on applicants of the police and military.

Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles urged the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines to lift some of their "archaic" requirements for recruits, including the "no tattoo" rule.

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

"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 said.

Recruitment of an individual with tattoos is also prohibited by the Philippine Coast Guard. The agencies see tattoos as "physical defects."

Tattoos and other "brotherhood marks" are grounds for medical disqualification in the PNP Academy. —ALG, GMA News

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