Police aspirants who earlier applied and now meet the new minimum height requirement are included in this year’s recruitment of new police officers.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, made this announcement on Friday, after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act (RA) 11549 lowering the height requirement for the applicants of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“There are those who applied which fall short of the existing height requirement but are qualified due to the new height requirement so I gave instructions to accommodate them and give them QR (quick response) codes,” Eleazar said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

He emphasized that physical appearance, specifically height, should not be an obstacle to individuals who want to join the uniformed services.

“Since our applications are online, those who would want to apply who qualifies for the new height requirement which is 5’2” for men and 5 feet for women are welcome to apply. We will process your application,” he added.

However, he said those who would be accommodated under RA 11549 will be on probationary status as they are still awaiting the implementing rules and regulations of the new law, as well as the guidance of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

“I also echo the statement of then-PNP chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa that the police’s service to the nation cannot be measured by height. One’s height or physical appearance should never be a hindrance to a person’s desire to join the uniformed services. We welcome this new height requirement for aspiring police officers and other uniformed personnel. Suportado po natin ang wisdom ng ating Pangulo dito (We support the wisdom of the President here),” said Eleazar.

RA 11549 lowers the minimum height requirement for male applicants in the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), as well as the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) from 1.62 meters to 1.57 meters.

For female applicants, the original height limit of 1.57 meters is lowered to 1.52 meters.

A waiver for height requirement will be automatically granted to applicants belonging to the cultural communities or indigenous peoples.

BuCor applicants, according to RA 11549, should not be less than 21 years old or more than 40 years old.

Within 90 days after RA 11549 takes effect, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are mandated to promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of the new law.

The DILG and DOJ are also directed to coordinate with the Civil Service Commission, the National Police Commission, the PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor.

Malacañang released a copy of RA 11549 on Thursday.