Civilians warned: Wearing a police uniform could land you in jail

MANILA – Police officers apprehended a civilian clad in the athletic uniform of the Philippine National Police (PNP) while taking selfies in Parañaque City.

In a report Tuesday, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Tupil of the Southern Police District (SPD) said he was aboard a bus when he saw the 38-year-old suspect, identified as alias "Jefferson," along Coastal Road on Monday.

Tupas said the suspect was wearing the shirt of the PNP athletic uniform, jogging pants, and slippers and appeared to be taking selfies.

Upon reaching the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), Tupil approached the suspect and requested him to present his PNP identification card, which the suspect failed to show.

Tupil promptly contacted Sub-Station 2 of the Parañaque City Police, which immediately sent officers who apprehended the suspect and took him to the station for documentation and proper disposition.

"Unauthorized wearing of PNP uniforms is strictly prohibited and anyone caught will be criminally held liable for Usurpation of Authority under RPC (Revised Penal Code) Art. 177 (Usurpation of Authority of Official Function) and Art. 179 (Illegal Use of Uniforms and Insignias)," the SPD said in a statement. (PNA)

Under the RPC, usurpation of authority carries a penalty of two to 10 years imprisonment while the illegal use of uniforms and insignias can be meted with up to six months imprisonment. (PNA)