1,659 NPD cops obese, overweight  

MANILA, Philippines — More than half of the members of the Northern Police District are overweight or obese, according to NPD director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr.

“For the record, 50.04 percent of the NPD personnel are overweight and obese, including myself,” Peñones said at the launching of the 95-kilometer run challenge in Malabon yesterday.

The figure represents 1,659 police officers who are not at their ideal weight, he said.

Peñones and 186 police officers assigned in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela signed up for the weight loss challenge by running three kilometers every day for a month.

He said they initiated the weight reduction program to encourage NPD personnel to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“A strong and healthy body will enable them to think clearly despite the demands of our job,” he said in Filipino.

Peñones said he has gained weight by three to five kilos since he took over the NPD post in August last year.

He weighs 74 kilos, which is above his ideal weight of 69 kilos, based on his body mass index.

Participants in the weight loss challenge had passed medical and psychological tests, Peñones said.