The National Police Commission (Napolcom) urged Monday the Philippine National Police (PNP) to crack down on the unauthorized sale of police uniforms and equipment.
The urgency followed the discovery of a Halloween partygoer wearing a police uniform as a costume. The partygoer, Daryll Isidro, explained to Napolcom that the uniform originated from a tailor in Quiapo, Manila.
‘There should also be a crackdown on the general public’s access to police uniforms and paraphernalia. Where else would all this be from if not unauthorized access to PNP uniforms? We should solve it at the source,’ Napolcom Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan said in a press conference.
‘If the PNP is listening, that’s what we should talk about, on how we put safeguards as to how people should not buy police uniforms and paraphernalia. Only those authorized should be allowed to buy,’ he added.
Calinisan said he initially instructed Napolcom to file a case against Isidro for violating Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (the illegal use of uniforms and insignia).
However, Isidro met with Calinisan earlier on Monday morning, prompting him to withdraw his directive to file a case and tear up the show-cause order the partygoer was supposed to receive.
‘Calm down’
Calinisan first brought attention to the issue on social media on Sunday.
On Sunday night, on his social media, Sen. Francis Pangilinan appealed to Napolcom to instead focus on more pressing issues.
‘My advice to Napolcom is to understand the situation and feelings of those who pay our salaries, the people, who are seething with anger against all the corrupt in the government, as well as the corrupt in the PNP,’ Pangilinan said.
‘Sa halip na ikagalit ito ng kapulisan at mauwi pa sa kasuhan, mas mainam na unawa ang mangibabaw at hindi ang galit. Ika nga, kalma lang,’ he added. (It’s better for understanding to prevail over anger. As the saying goes, just stay calm.)
‘Instead getting upset over the issue and [ending] up with the filing of cases, it’d be better if reason were to prevail and not anger, just calm down.)
Calinisan said he respects Pangilinan’s statement but raised the issue due to ‘national security concerns.’