Police warned to act straight on duty

PinkNews logo with white background and rainbow corners

The Philippine National Police warned its gay officers not to sway their hips or demonstrate provocative behaviour while on duty or they risk losing their jobs.

“If they sway their hips while marching, or if they engage in lustful conduct, I think that will be ground for separation” from the service, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao told the Philippine Star.

Still, the PNP says that homosexuals are welcome to join the police force, provided that they refrain from immoral and indecent behaviour.

“As an institution, the PNP does not look at or interfere with one’s sexual preference,” Pagdilao told Manila Radio DZXL.

“But it does look at its members’ conduct. If they behave within the norm, I don’t think we’ll have a problem.”

He also said cross-dressers, those who are wearing clothing commonly associated with the opposite gender within a particular society, are definitely not allowed in the police force.

The PNP was established as an institution in the late 1980s. There are 119,000 members of the PNP, 10 percent of whom are women, in the 16 regions in the country.

The Philippines has a reputation for tolerance toward homosexuality.

However, a party representing lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people was recently refused registration for May congressional elections on the grounds that it does not have nationwide chapters.

Its members are appealing, reports AP.

© 2007 GayWired.com; All Rights Reserved.

Comments (0)

MyPinkNews members are invited to comment on articles to discuss the content we publish, or debate issues more generally. Please familiarise yourself with our community guidelines to ensure that our community remains a safe and inclusive space for all.

Loading Comments