Ex-cops, soldiers are new civilian bodyguards - PNP

In exchange for the recalled policemen, civilians who are used to hiring security escorts from the Philippine National Police (PNP) may now tap the services of retired or former police and military men. Chief Superintendent Romeo Ricardo, chief of the PNP Civil Security Group (CSG), said Tuesday that they have authorized private security agencies to hire former members of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as bodyguards because the PNP has started recalling policeman escorts. "I think the training (of the retired cops and military men) is sufficient enough. As former military and police personnel, they sure have the training (to act as security escorts)," Ricardo told a news forum at Camp Crame. He said the CSG has even issued permit to these former cops and military men for said purpose. Ricardo said the PNP has already withdrawn as of last month about a hundred police personnel acting as security escorts of so-called Very Important Persons or VIP's in compliance with the directive of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno that these policemen should be used instead in the peace and order campaign of the government. "The VIP's who claim to have threats against their lives can avail of security services from 114 personnel who have retired or left the active services. They are now attached with different security agencies," Ricardo said. "We advise these VIP's to contact the security agencies, but of course, it will be for a fee," he added. - GMANews.TV