ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has warned civilians against wearing Philippine National Police (PNP) uniforms.
Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, PRO-6 director, said civilians wearing PNP uniform will be held liable under Executive Order (EO) No. 297 that reinforced Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (RA 3815). It 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.”
Francisco also warned unauthorized stores to stop selling PNP uniforms.
Any establishment, plant or office where the uniforms and other PNP items are illegally manufactured, stored, sold or distributed will face closure.
The PRO-6 through its Regional Logistics and Research Development Division led by Police Colonel Rhea Santos will conduct an inspection of all stores across Western Visayas to know if they have authorization or Certificate of Conformity (COC).
“Mag-conduct kami ng inspection sa mga stores dito sa area namin para malaman natin kung authorized ba sila at kung wala, hindi sila dapat magbenta especially sa mga civilians,” Francisco said. “Dapat ang gagamit ng uniforms are police personnel only.”
Francisco’s warning was in response to the order of PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. that police uniforms will now be restricted following the killing of Aparri, Cagayan vice mayor Rommel Alameda and his five escorts on Feb. 19. Six gunmen were wearing PNP uniforms.
Azurin said apart from the registered police uniform outlets, it would be better to ask for an identification card from those who will buy to be recorded.
The PNP will also monitor those who are selling police uniforms online./PN
