Philippines launch “Cops In G-Strings” to assist tourists

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police on Sunday launched its “Bahag-Pulis” (cops in G-String), during the celebration of the Panagbenga (Flower) Festival in Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines, north of the capital Manila.

The monthly celebration, capped by a street dances of people donned in colorful costumes and floats in Baguio City, was attended by an estimated 150,000 cheering local and foreign tourists.

But the “bahag pulis” got the loudest cheer as they paraded along Baguio’s main road, Session, beside the Transformation Torch float of the PNP.

Cordillera Police Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin said authorities are testing the response of the community, as well as the tourists, in launching cops in G-string, the traditional costume of the indigenous Ifugao tribe in the city and the Cordillera province.

After all, the cops in G-strings will be a part of the Tourist-Oriented Police, Community-Oriented Police or Topcop, assigned in tourist areas of the region like Banaue, Sagada and Bontoc.

Banaue, Sagada and Bontoc, all in the Cordillera province, are famous for its rice terraces carved on mountains, and “kabayan mummies”. It is also a favorite for spelunkers.