A show-cause order will be issued to the individual who dressed as a police officer during a Halloween party, National Police Commission Vice Chair Ralph Calinisan said Sunday.
In a Facebook post, Calinisan criticized the unidentified person, warning that charges will be filed if they ignore the summons.
‘Tomorrow, on behalf of all our policemen, I will issue a Show Cause Order against you and demand a public apology from you,’ Calinisan said.
‘If we do not hear from you, expect a case to be filed against you. Respect your men in uniform,’ he added. While Calinisan did not identify the individual, the Napolcom official posted several photos showing the person at a Halloween party, including the alleged event in Makati.
Halloween, celebrated annually on Oct. 31, is traditionally marked by costumes – some portraying fictional characters, while others dress as real-life professions, such as doctors, engineers, and, in this case, a police officer.
In an earlier statement, Calinisan reminded the public that illegal use of the Philippine National Police uniform is punishable under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Illegal Use of Uniforms and Insignias).
He also described the costume as a sign of disrespect toward actual police officers.
‘This use of the PNP uniform as a Halloween costume is total disrespect for our men in uniform,’ he said.
In a separate statement, the person in question, who goes by Dha Isidro on Facebook, issued a public apology.
‘I am truly sorry and regret that my act of wearing a PNP-inspired costume, which offends the sensibilities of the dignified and respectable police in uniform, some of whom are even my good friends,’ said Isidro in a Facebook post.
‘I express my deep and sincere apologies to the police in uniform who were slighted by the said post and the institutions they represent. I have no intention to malign, cause hurt, or ridicule anyone or anybody with the wearing of the said costume,’ he added.
Isidro explained that there was no intent to misrepresent them or usurp the official functions of a police officer, and that they were merely dressing up for fun in the spirit of Halloween.
‘The idea was solely all within the confines of a costume party,’ they further explained.
Isidro then reiterated their apology, acknowledging how their actions caused harm to PNP personnel. Calinisan, for his part, responded by sharing the post and demanding that Isidro heed the show-cause order and appear in his office on Monday morning.