A Halloween partygoer who dressed up as a police officer appeared at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to apologize on Monday.
Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan identified the partygoer as Daryll Isidro.
‘It was not my intention to disrespect the police force’s uniform. I have high respect for you,’ Isidro said in Filipino in a press conference at the Napolcom office in Quezon City.
Why did Isidro use a police officer’s uniform as a costume for Halloween?
He answered, ‘ The first thing that came to my mind was characters who defend society. I had no idea during that time, so sorry.’
Pressed on the source of the uniform, Isidro said he got the clothes from a tailor at a shopping center in Quiapo, Manila. He was unable to bring the uniform to his meeting with Calinisan, saying he wasn’t sure whether to surrender it.
The Napolcom executive officer identified the uniform as a Philippine National Police (PNP) general office attire type C uniform with the sleeves cut off.
‘That is very bothersome. The IMIS is here (Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service). I’m directing the IMIS right now to inspect,’ Calinisan said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Asked why he appeared before Napolcom, Isidro said, ‘A lot of people were bashing me already. It wasn’t okay for my mental health.’
Calinisan said he had already instructed the commission’s lawyers to file a case, but he withdrew the directive after Isidro visited him earlier on Monday morning, prompting the Napolcom executive officer to rip up the show-cause order for the partygoer in front of the media.
PNP to investigate
For its part, the PNP said it would look into the matter.
‘It will be investigated. He has a right to give his side. It will be investigated by the CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group],’ acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a press briefing in Camp Crame earlier on Monday.
Nartatez said Isidro could be held liable for violating Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to illegal use of uniforms or insignia, with a prescribed penalty of arresto mayor, or imprisonment from one month and one day to six months.
However, Calinisan appealed to the PNP not to pursue a case.
‘If the PNP wants to investigate, I won’t stop them. But I’m urging you, we have a remorseful person here. We can allocate our resources somewhere else,’ Calinisan said.
In either case, Isidro said he would be willing to cooperate with the CIDG’s investigation.