PNP excuses selective personnel from frontline duties

April 6, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has excused single parent police personnel from frontline duties in public safety and law enforcement operations in response to the national health emergency, according to its police spokesperson.

In a statement, Brigadier General Bernard Banac said General Archie Francisco Gamboa considered these policy initiatives to protect the welfare of family members especially the children of PNP personnel.

Gamboa ordered that only one spouse among PNP couples may be deployed to the frontlines while the other spouse may be delegated to administrative or support duties.

“This is to ensure the safety and security of children of PNP personnel from possible exposure and contamination to the virus,” Banac said.

However, PNP personnel whose occupational specialty are most needed like doctors, nurses, members of CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives) , and personnel with similar technical qualifications shall be prioritized for deployment provided that they are not immuno-compromised.

Banac said the PNP chief has instructed the Director for Personnel and Records Management, Major General Reynaldo Biay, to make an accounting of PNP personnel to identify couples who are both performing frontline duties and ensure one of them exempted from these duties. Ella Dionisio/DMS