A cop is now at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a Manila hospital after he collapsed when he was forced by a high-ranking officer to perform burpees as punishment.
Policeman Mario Asilo of the Manila Police District is now at the ICU of the Medical Center Manila for heart failure after he collapsed on Monday.
According to the Philippine Star, Chief Inspector Reynante Parlade, the MPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics commander, was irked when Asilo failed to salute him.
Remate reported that Asilo didn’t salute the officer because Parlade was not in uniform, which made it hard for Asilo to recognize him.
Parlade cursed Asilo, took his gun and told him to do squat thrusts or burpees. The strenuous exercise requires starting from a standing position then quickly falling forward to the ground and extending one’s legs while hands remain flat on the floor. The person is then required to stand up again and repeat it.
Asilo told his boss that he couldn’t perform the exercise because he was sick but Parlade insisted. Asilio did not specify that he previously had an angioplasty.
Asilo collapsed after the fourth burpee and responding medics had to use a defibrillator to help him.
ABS-CBN reported that Parlade was not aware that Asilo had surgery.
The MPD is currently investigating the incident and they said financial help has been given to Asilo.
Parlade said he was unhappy by what occurred to Asilo but said that he expected Asilo to follow police protocols.
He told Philstar: “I am saddened by what happened but I did not know that he was sick. As policemen, we follow certain protocols and that includes giving a senior official the proper salute.”
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