SMALL ACTION FORCE (SAF)

BINALONAN—If Snow White had seven dwarfs to help her in Walt Disney world, the mayor here has four jolly midgets as his bodyguards.

They are called as the Small Action Force (SAF) of this town and for Mayor Ramon Guico III or Mayor Monmon to his constituents, it’s about providing equal opportunities to all.

Rogelio Ochinang, Clifford James Ianamu, Crisanto Naces and Elmer Cabotaje, whose height ranges from 4’2″ to 4’5″, have become favorite photo subjects of people, especially during the town’s recently concluded fiesta celebration as they were very visible walking with the mayor.

Ochinang, 51, who used be a farmer and a tricycle driver, from Barangay Botigue, Laoac town, stands 4’2″, but his parents are more than five feet tall. His only sibling is also 5’2″ tall.

Ianamu, 32, 4’5″ tall, from Barangay Camantiles, Urdaneta City, is an only child but his parents are of average height. He was a former call center agent in Makati and also worked a construction worker.

Naces, 40, a farmer from Barangay Casampagaan, Laoac, stands 4’3″ and is the seventh in a brood of eight siblings all in normal heights.

Cabotaje, 36, 4’2″ tall, from Barangay Cili, Binalonan is the second of three siblings and the only one who is small. He was formerly a computer encoder with the local government of San Jacinto.

When the four rushed to apply when they, separately, learned that Guico had informed townfolks last year that he wanted to hire bodyguards last year with one qualification: applicants must be hardworking midgets.

They wasted no time and hurriedly applied in succession for the job, and were hired promptly.

They, garbed in their blue and black uniforms, do what bodyguards do for a mayor– open the doors, take custody of personal belongings and wait for instructions all day long.

But they are not just your ordinary bodyguards.

When Guico is already busy with his constituents, the four bodyguards alternately man the information desk, greet visitors and assist them with their concerns.

They also act as traffic enforcers assisting pedestrians, especially children and the elderly in front of the municipal hall or where the mayor may find himself in.

Guico said he thought of the idea “to give a good image” to the town. “They may be small people but they protect the highest official of the town,” he said.

As traffic enforcers, Guico said they are respected. “Sino namang matinong tao ang makikipag-away sa maliliit na tao,” he said. Passersby smile and wave their hands at them whenever they see them on duty.

“What is most important is they are also like us but are only deprived of height. We give these people an equal chance to do the work of other normal people,” he said.

He said he is elated because “they are even more responsible and more dedicated in their jobs than other people”.

The four are profuse in thanking their co-workers in the municipal hall for treating with respect.

As kids, they said they were bullied but they got used to them as they aged. They said the love of their families is enough assurance that all is okay with their lives.

At the time of the interview on Wednesday, a lady midget was at the mayor’s office wanting to apply as his bodyguard.

Guico said he needs at least eight midgets to serve at the municipal government. (Eva Visperas)

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