Bong Go backs bill modifying minimum height requirements for PNP, BJMP, BFP and BuCor; says measure will provide more opportunities for Filipinos to serve the country

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his support to a proposed bill modifying the minimum height requirements for applicants to the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Prevention, and the Bureau of Corrections.

Senate Bill No. 1563, filed by Senator Ronald dela Rosa, lowers the height requirement to five feet and two inches for males, and to five feet for females who wish to enter said law enforcement agencies and become uniformed personnel. Waiving the height requirement for applicants belonging to indigenous groups will be retained.

Go commended dela Rosa and his proposed measure, saying that it will help augment and strengthen the country's law enforcement and firefighting forces, and other first-responders in times of emergencies and calamities.

"I want to commend the good sponsor for pushing for this measure and I wish to manifest my support and my intention to co-author this bill modifying the minimum height requirement for PNP, BJMP, BFP, and BuCor personnel," Go said.

"Malaking tulong rin po ito upang mapalakas at mapatatag ang ating mga kapulisan, bumbero at iba pang first-responders pagdating ng oras ng sakuna," he added.

It will give Filipino citizens more opportunities to serve the country, according to the Senator. "Marami pong lumalapit sa akin kahit noong hindi pa ako Senador. Nagpapatulong para ma-waive o mabawasan ang minimum height requirement sa pagiging pulis at bumbero," Go said.

"Marami pong gustong magsilbi sa kapwa tao, kailangan lang po natin silang bigyan ng oportunidad na tumulong at magserbisyo," he added.

During the period of interpellation, Go questioned why the previous administration vetoed a measure in 2013 that repeals the height requirements for applicants to the PNP, BFP and BJMP.

Dela Rosa responded, saying that part of the veto message of the past administration states that it is "seriously apprehensive of the concerns propounded by the PNP and BJMP in the safety of their personnel in the performance of their duties, as well as public safety in general" as the "nature of their work in guarding detainees or escorting criminals, must possess the necessary physical attributes to perform their functions effectively."

Dela Rosa added that they addressed these concerns, stressing his proposed bill seeks to simply lower height requirements, not repeal it unlike the previously vetoed bill.

In his past statements, Go has repeatedly expressed his appreciation for law enforcement officers in the country, commending how they were able to rebuild and improve their reputation in the public eye due to their discipline and integrity.

"Makikita niyo ngayon, ang mga pulis, ginagalang at nirerespeto na. Suportado namin kayong lahat ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Sa abot ng aming makakaya, tutulong kami sa inyo bilang pagkilala sa inyong mga sakripisyo para mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipino," Go said previously.

"Nang umupo ang ating Pangulo sa Malacañang, inatupag niya kaagad na madoble ang sahod ng mga miyembro ng Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection at iba pang kaugnay na ahensiya," he also said.

Go also shared that he has filed a measure to provide free legal assistance to police and military officers, explaining that law enforcers sometimes hesitate to implement the full force of the law, fearing harassment from powerful personalities who may file cases against them in connection with the performance of their official duties.

"Kailangan din nating pagbutihin ang lahat na suportang legal na ibinibigay ng pamahalaan sa kapulisan upang mabigyan sila ng lakas ng loob na gampanan ang kanilang tungkulin, basta sa tamang paraan na naaayon sa batas," he said.

Go, in July of last year, filed Senate Bill 393, otherwise known as An Act Providing Free Legal Assistance to Any Officer or Enlisted Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police on Any Charge Before the Prosecutor's Office, Court or Any Competent Body Arising from an Incident or Incidents Related to the Performance of Official Duty.

The Senator also previously shared that "the long-term modernization plans of the PNP and AFP are being implemented as scheduled."

Go, who had been going around the country to help victims of fire incidents prior to the pandemic, is also pushing for the modernization of the BFP and the strengthening of the country's fire prevention campaign and information drive as he seeks to better safeguard Filipinos from hazards, such as fires and other similar incidents.

The Senator filed in July last year SB 204 or the "Act Strengthening and Modernizing the Bureau of Fire Protection, Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes" which aims to enhance the BFP's capability to protect people and properties from destructive fires. The bill will also mandate, among others, monthly fire and disaster awareness information drives, particularly in informal settlements and economically depressed areas.