The Philippine National Police (PNP) will investigate and charge a Halloween partygoer for wearing a police officer’s uniform as a costume.
‘To misuse it as a costume trivializes the meaning of service and mocks those who risk their lives to keep our communities safe. This act will not go unpunished; accountability must prevail,’ acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement Sunday night.
‘The PNP has launched an investigation to identify and charge the person involved,’ he added.
The national police force cited Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to the illegal use of uniforms or insignia, noting that this includes the improper wearing of an official uniform by a person who is not a member of the PNP.
National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan highlighted the issue on Sunday after photos of the Halloween partygoer circulated on social media, supposedly from a Makati City event.
Calinisan slammed the use of the uniform as a costume as disrespect to police officers, identifying the partygoer as a certain Dha Isidro and saying they will be summoned to the Napolcom office on Monday.
Isidro apologized to Calinisan and the PNP on social media on Sunday.
‘The idea to wear such a costume is with no intention to misrepresent myself or usurp any official functions of a police officer, which the law seeks to prevent. It was not made officially. The idea was solely all within the confines of a costume party,’ Isidro said.
‘My actions may have caused harm to some persons and institutions, and with that, I am deeply sorry. This circumstance will be a lifelong lesson for me, for which I will be more circumspect in my future decisions and actions. Again, I am truly sorry,’ he added.