CAMP BGEN. VICENTE LIM, Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna –- A 36-year-old female vendor on Monday was arrested for wearing a police uniform in Talisay, Batangas.
Vanessa Teope Mago, a native of Naga City Bicol, and currently residing in Bgy. San Isidro Sur, Sto. Tomas, Batangas was arrested during a checkpoint operation in Bgy. Tumaway, Talisay, Batangas.
Mago was riding a motorcycle when she was flagged down by officers manning the checkpoint after seeing her wearing a t-shirt with PULIS markings, PNP athletic jogging pants, and PNP shoes. When asked for identification, the suspect failed to show proof that she is a legitimate member of the PNP.
Upon verification, Mago was found to have a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention and violation of PD 1829 (obstruction of justice) issued by Judge Pedro M. Redoña, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Calabanga, Camarines Sur.
The warrant of arrest was served by the Talisay Municipal Police Station, together with the Regional Intelligence Division 4A, Regional Intelligence Team Batangas, Calabanga Municipal Police Station, Camarines Sur; PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group Luzon Field Unit 4A and PNP Maritime Monitoring Post, Talisay, Batangas.
According to Police Regional Office 4A Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., the unauthorized wearing of police or military uniform by civilians falls under Article 177 and 179 of the Revised Penal Code (RA 3815), which penalizes “any person who, under pretense of official position, shall perform any act pertaining to any person in authority or public officer, without being lawfully entitled to do so,” and “any person who shall publicly and improperly make use of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a class or persons of which he or she is not a member.”
“We shall reinforce our checkpoint operations and police visibility to prevent similar incidents that would facilitate the commission of crimes by these persons illegally wearing AFP and PNP uniforms. Additionally, we shall also flag down vehicles sporting PNP markings to deter private individuals and companies from misusing PNP logos like the incident involving a luxury vehicle seen in Makati that recently went viral,” Nartatez said.
Meanwhile, to address the unauthorized use of PNP uniforms and insignia, Police Regional Office-Calabarzon has been regularly conducting “Tamang Bihis” inspection of all personnel from the Regional Headquarters down to the lower units and the inventory of old and worn out PNP uniforms for proper disposal.
The Regional Logistics and Research Development Division also conducts regular inspection on the different providers/stores of PNP uniforms and accouterments.
“Apart from these activities, PRO-Calabarzon has been conducting information drives to promote community awareness on the illegal use, manufacture, selling, and distribution of PNP and military uniforms and insignias,” Nartatez added.
