MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) had advised their personnel who disagree with the organization’s policy regulating the bearing and sporting of tattoos to tender their resignations.
PNP chief of the Public Information Office (PIO) Colonel Jean Fajardo said it is not compulsory for their personnel to stay in an organization if they do not agree with the regulations.
“Remember, nang pumasok ka sa PNP, you are expected na sumunod sa rules and regulations po. If you cannot follow the regulations, then maluwag po ang pinto ng PNP para kayo ay mag-resign,” Fajardo said.
PNP’s Memorandum Circular 2024-023 approved on March 19, 2024 mandates that both uniformed and non-uniformed or civilian police personnel are required to have their “visible” tattoos removed.
They are also required to execute an affidavit declaring their tattoos that are not visible, noting that they are no longer allowed to have additional tattoos in any parts of their body whether visible or not while they are still in the service.
The said memorandum further states that aspiring policemen are not allowed to have tattoos at all, and if they have, they will be given three months to have their tattoos removed.
Cops who will refuse to follow the policy will be facing administrative charges.
“’Yung rationale kung bakit po natin pinapa-erase po ito although for some sinasabing creative art ito, expression of oneself, belief sa artistic side po nila, but in every right, there are boundaries po,” Fajardo said.
“Dito po ay nasa loob tayo ng uniformed service. Pangit po naman na naka-uniporme ‘yung mga pulis natin na tadtad ng tattoo,” the PNP official added./PN
