Rendon Labador to lead PNP's 93-day fitness challenge
Fitness influencer Rendon Labador has been tapped by the Philippine National Police to lead their 93-day fitness challenge that aims to help cops lose weight.
In an interview with News5, Labador said that he was approached by Police Community Affairs and Development Group chief Marvin Joe Saro during his visit to Camp Crame.
"Nagkakaroon sila ng problema dahil naging strikto si PNP chief [Nicolas Torre III] sa kanilang fitness. So ang naging problema, sabog sabog 'yung programa nila, hindi pare-pareho, kanya kanya," he said.
"Kasi sa PNP pala, binibigyan sila ng time na mag-exercise pero bahala ka na sa buhay mo kung anong gusto mo. So bahala ka na kung gusto mong mag-jogging, kung gusto mong mag-basketball, kung gusto mong mag-Zumba. So hindi siya unified," he continued.
Labador observed that many police officers had become lazy when it comes to maintaining their daily exercise, as they're always at the office, especially those at Camp Crame.
"So iba-iba ng resulta. Syempre may police na malakas kumain, malakas mag-rice, motivational rice, ang laki ng tiyan ngayon, tapos tamad mag-exercise. Meron namang mga police na talagang desidido, 'yun 'yung nakikita natin na fit," Labador said.
The problem, he stated, is that many officers don't favor popular exercises such as Zumba and tae bo.
"'Yung ibang police, parang nahihiya. Hindi naman lahat ng police gusto sumayaw, parang nakakalambot ng imahe ng ating kapulisan. Ang sabi ko kay Gen. Saro, 'Kung kakasa kayo sa hamon ko, magbibigay ako ng programa na functional work-out.' Kasi malalakas ang pulis natin eh, kaso kung hindi ka functional, hindi mo magagamit 'yung lakas na 'yun," Labador said.
"Kumabaga parang sasakyan, malakas ang makina mo pero flat ang gulong mo. Eh paano mo mahuhuli ang kriminal kapag tumakbo eh hindi sila makatakbo? Malakas ka nga eh hindi ka naman makahabol. So 'yun 'yung magiging goal namin sa programa, para makakapag-exercise sila at mas ma-iimprove nila 'yung movement nila sa pang araw-araw," he added.
According to the social media personality and self-proclaimed motivational speaker, his job is to lead the program and personally monitor the participating officers. He will also work closely with nutritionists to give them the proper diet.
Torre previously expressed his disapproval of overweight cops and warned that they could be dismissed from service if they don't keep their weight in check within a year.
"May mga regulations tayo d’yan. Ang basic d’yan is one year na pinagbibigyan na magkaroon ng chance na maka-comply at makabalik doon sa standard," he said in an interview with DZMM.
He cited Section 30 of Republic Act No. 6975, which states that one of the qualifications for appointment to the PNP is that a person "must weigh not more or less than five kilograms of the standard weight corresponding to his or her height, age, and sex."
No weight loss program for entire PNP
On June 22, PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III clarified that he has not authorized any fitness instructor to lead a weight loss program for the entire organization.
The physical fitness activity on June 19 led by Labador was initiated by the Police Community Affairs and Development Group and involved only its members.
"In this regard, PNP personnel are directed to refrain from sharing misleading content," the memorandum issued on June 21 read. "Social media officers should also exercise caution in posting and sharing content to avoid spreading misinformation that may cause confusion."
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Editor's note: This story has been updated to include PNP's clarification.
