(Photo courtesy of PNP)
MANILA – Civilians or any unauthorized persons wearing police or military uniforms would face charges, the Philippine National Police (PNP) warned on Friday.
PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas made this reminder after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed on Thursday charges of usurpation of authority against a 41-year-old woman clad in a PNP athletic uniform who walked into Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday.
Marilyn Rojero, a resident of Sto. Niño, Parañaque City, was accosted by Base Police personnel at 3 p.m. on Wednesday in front of the Land Bank Crame Branch for jaywalking.
When asked for identification, Rojero failed to present a PNP ID and was brought to the Base Police Office for investigation where authorities found out that she is not a police officer. Base Police personnel endorsed her case to the CIDG-National Capital Region for further investigation.
Rojero was presented before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings for violation of Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code for usurpation of authority and Article 179 for illegal use of uniforms or insignia.
Investigators are also verifying the authenticity of the Unified Multi-purpose ID that she presented.
Signed by former president Joseph Estrada in 2000, Executive Order 297 prohibits the unauthorized manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of uniforms, insignias, and other accouterments of the Philippine National Police.
The EO reinforced Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (RA 3815), which penalizes "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.”
EO 297 also orders the "immediate closure of the establishment, plant or office where the uniforms and other items are illegally manufactured, stored, sold or distributed."
All PNP uniforms and accouterments are registered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines to safeguard the ownership of PNP on its patented designs to stop the illegal production of substandard and unauthorized uniforms by illegal manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and sellers which is prohibited under Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code. (PNA)
