Exempt IPs from height requirement, no-tattoo rule in joining PNP, AFP —senator

Members of the indigenous cultural communities deserve a fair chance to be part of the Philippine National Police or the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Senator Francis Tolentino said.

“The members of the ICCs/IPs are overlooked and sometimes discriminated upon, and not given the chance to serve, protect and defend the country simply because of their culture,  he said in pushing for his Senate Bill 405 or  “Katutubong Tagapagtanggol Act of 2019.”

The proposed bill is in response to the continuing discrimination of IPs due to their culture and certain physical factors.

It aims to exempt IPs from height, body mass index, and general point average as part of the admission requirements into the police or military.

Tattoos, piercing, and physical deformities as disqualifications will be waived as well, provided that the features were brought about by their culture, customs and traditions.

“The culture must be celebrated, brought into the light, and integrated into society for it is something that brings honor and pride to the country,” Tolentino said.

The bill also gives protection to IPs from any form of discrimination or slurs, with dismissal from the service being the highest from of penalty to violators. —LDF, GMA News