ESCORTING a VIP could mean that a tourist police or a group of tourist policemen will accompany a guest, a tourist, a very important person or group (as indicator of politeness from the local government unit). Our tourist police are there to give protection or act as tour guide assisting the tourism officer (as needed).
The mayor, the governor, the chief of police or their representatives may order to tourist police to escort a guest or a VIP visiting the area. The task of escorting visitors should be given only to trained policemen who are members of the Philippine National Police Tourist Police Unit. Here in Silay, we have trained our tourist policemen and we have produced tour guide champions in four years.
The order could be in writing or verbal. It is always accompanied by specific instructions. The concerned tourist police should fully know what the order is all about. He should understand the details of his assignment. He should have the pictures and the profile of the guests. He should have in his position the itinerary or schedule of activities from his superior officers.
If the tourist police start his function at the airport or seaport, he should join the Meet and Greet Committee and he should be personally introduced to the guest by the protocol officer. The tourist police may put on his prescribed uniform or wear smart civilian attire (plain clothes) as needed. He should look handsome.
If the tourist policemen operate as a unit in one assignment, there should be a unit commander who controls the operations. The escorts should have reliable short arms hidden in their body. Long arms should be left behind in a back-up car. The driver should not leave the back-up car so that he could secure the long arms and other “utensils.”
Personal escorts should maintain a “proper distance” from the VIP. Comfort rooms should be properly checked earlier. A lady tourist police should be assigned to female guests. That “proper distance” should be maintained even during lunch especially in an open place. In the case of closed-door conference, the escorts should stay near the door without calling the attention of other guests.
A proper coordination should be made with the security officers of the hotels, resorts, restaurants, and malls. This could be done by the protocol officer assigned to the VIP. Very special guests (prime ministers, presidents, kings) are accompanied by their food tasters. In some cases, the kitchen is subjected to “special assessment” to check food safety management.
“Special escorting” could be arranged if the VIP would want go snorkeling, scuba diving, spelunking, mountain climbing, gliding, rowing… or do other “extra special activities.” If the VIP would want to accommodate “special personal visitor” after his official function, that should be cleared with his “aide” or the protocol officer. The itinerary of travel should be considered sacred. The escort should be informed officially if there is change in schedule.
The tourism officer and the tourist police escorts should check hours before the road condition, traffic flow, availability of the attractions (and the needed facilities). Don’t fail to consider peace and order in the area. The allowance of the tourist police escorts should be given ahead if possible. They may need to buy their own food (depending on the circumstance).
If the day’s tour starts from the hotel, it should end up in the same hotel (normal practice); however, tour escorting could be extended for “nocturnal tour.” The VIP may want to see your place by night. Always obtain clearance from your chief executive or chief of police (COP). (If the tourist police escort is married, clearance from the wife is necessary.)
Accept “tips” and say “thank you,” but do not charge a single centavo for your official service. Your COP can shoot you for that. Do not drink alcohol when on duty. Refuse to take “girls” even offered by the VIP. That could be your acid test. When your guest departs (airport or seaport), execute a smart salute or a gratifying handshake. Say, “Thank you! Goodbye!” Send him a very good thank you message later.
If required, submit a written report to your chief executive or COP. Or, simply give them favorable feedbacks without mentioning the details of your “nocturnal tour.” After longer days and nights of absence from home, (if married) go back to your wife for a celebration.
