Policemen advised not to take selfie in papal visit

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Mission first before selfie.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) discouraged its forces to take a “selfie” while they are detailed in places that will be visited by Pope Francis from January 15 to 19.

Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesperson, asked all 25,000 policemen who will be deployed to stick to their jobs and not brag about their involvement in the activity.
In a press briefing on Monday, Mayor told his fellow cops: “Be professional. You took a selfie but did you perform your duty?”
Even with photos of themselves in the areas of their deployment or with Pope Francis himself, he said policemen’s selfies might be taken out of context.

“Our intention should be aligned with the purpose. Policemen are not there to take pictures of themselves. Maiiba ang context natin,” he said.

“(Their mindset should be) even though I have no selfie, I will be proud that during the activity, I was part of the detail,” he added.

Some Filipinos, including Ilocos Norte Representative Rudy Fariñas and Legazpi City Bishop Joel Baylong, had the rare chance to take a selfie with the Argentinian pontiff, who is known for his accessibility to the public.

Mayor urged all policemen to keep reminding themselves that their primary purpose during the papal visit is to secure the Pope and the people.

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