PNP makes sure its men are taken care of

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is making sure that the thousands of policemen it has tapped to secure delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings would never have something to complain about later.

From flu vaccination to food catering, everything that is needed have been provided them to ensure their undivided focus to their duty of securing the attending world leaders and other foreign delegates, according to PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez.

“Before, policemen were on their own once they were deployed, including their food. That is part of our big training,” said Marquez.

“But now we have been improving our deployment. We provide everything that is needed for deployment in situations like this,” he added, referring to the 24-hour presence on the field.

The first thing that they attended to, according to Marquez, was to provide the personnel with enough food right on their areas of deployment.

He explained that they have learned their lesson during the Papal visit early this year when deployed policemen found the meal allowance useless as they could not just pull out of their location to buy food.

He said they also improved the areas where policemen could take their rest, even installing showerheads and portalets where they could take a bath and relieve themselves.

“We also procured 11,000 flu vaccines, so that they have enough body resistance as they are exposed to various weather condition. I myself have been vaccinated,” said Marquez.

The official said they also procured chocolate bars that would be distributed for light snacks while the policemen are waiting for their meal.

In addition, Marquez said they made sure that a medical team would frequently visit the areas where the policemen are deployed to check on their medical condition and attend to medical needs of cops.

Such an improved services to the policemen have been taken into consideration during the preparation stage for the APEC Leaders’ Summit, according to Marquez.

“Let them expect the worse but there should be a perspective of the commander that supporting them will make them perform better,” said Marquez.

“If your men would see that improvements in taking care of them, the tendency is they level up their performance,” he added.