ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has warned civilians against wearing police or military uniforms and insignias.
Violators would be arrested and charged with violating Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code, according to Police Brigadier General John Bulalacao, regional police director.
Article 179 reads: “The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon 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 of persons of which he is not a member.”
“Because they have limited capacity to defend themselves, civilians wearing police or military uniform could endanger themselves. They expose themselves to attacks by criminal elements or New People’s Army,” explained Bulalacao.
On May 11 at around 7:30 a.m. in Barangay Veterans Village, City Proper, 40-year-old Marichu Francisco, a resident of Barangay VIII, Tuburan, Cebu, was arrested by the police for wearing a police uniform.
She was spotted a few meters from Camp Delgado, the headquarters of the PRO-6.
Policemen got suspicious upon spotting Francisco – while she had a blue PNP athletic uniform on, she was wearing jeans.
“We are reminding everyone that ignorance of the law excuses no one. Let this be a stern warning to all. Never violate the law on the illegal use of police and military uniforms and insignias,” said Bulalacao.
Francisco was detained at the Iloilo City Police Office’s Police Station 1./PN
