Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A man in police uniform commands trust and respect.
But what if that man in police uniform is a criminal impersonating a police officer?
These days, it is easier for criminals to impersonate a police officer or a soldier, which enables them to commit serious crimes to unsuspecting victims.
Despite this serious security concern, fake military and police uniforms are legally sold in shops to civilians.
Ironically, these shops are just across the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters.
A recent visit near Camp Crame in Bonny Serrano Avenue, Quezon City confirmed published reports that several concessionaires outside the camp have been selling fake police badges, uniforms, handcuffs, and other paraphernalia used by the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
A saleswoman disclosed to CNN Philippines that anyone could easily purchase a police badge, which can be had from P300 to P500.
The quality of the badge, according to the saleswoman, is as good as that of an authentic badge.
The saleswoman added that they could openly sell these items because there is no inspection being done by authorities.
Apart from military and police uniforms, these shops offer everything such as knives, electroshock weapons, sticks, boots, helmets, flak vests and other military hardware.
Crimes perpetrated by individuals wearing military and police uniforms have been hogging the headlines.
In the past, the PNP has monitored a number of incidents where armed men masquerading as police officers have robbed, abducted and sometimes killed unsuspecting victims.
Last April, operatives of Quezon City Police District apprehended two men clad in police uniforms for hijacking a 10-wheeler truck filled with laundry soap on Araneta Avenue.
In December 2013, a municipal mayor from Zamboanga del Sur and three others were shot dead reportedly by assailants wearing police uniforms at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In 2009, the National Bureau of Investigation raided a suspected hideout of a robbery gang in Bulacan and managed to seize police uniforms, high-powered firearms, bulletproof vests and helmets.
In a recent interview of Serbisyo AllAccess — The public service arm of CNN Philippines — with Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac, he admitted that the PNP has no control when it comes to selling of police uniforms.
“We should have authorized suppliers. Unfortunately, we cannot stop and regulate those who sell it. The law has no teeth against this,” he said.
Proposed Bill
Rep. Raul Del Mar of Cebu City has filed a bill that will impose penalty against civilians who will be caught wearing military and police uniforms.
Under House Bill 368, violators could face a jail term of 10 years and a maximum fine of P20,000.
The bill also seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 493, which regulates the use and production of uniforms of the AFP and the PNP.
Del Mar said the law has no prohibition, imposing penalty against civilians who will be caught wearing these uniforms.
The bill also imposes a five-year imprisonment and a fine of P10,000 for the unauthorized sale of military and police uniforms to civilian and the production of textile, which is being used for the production of the uniforms.
According to Del Mar, the indiscriminate wearing of the AFP and PNP uniform by civilian is causing damage to the reputation of the military and the police, “especially by bad elements posing as good guys.”
Del Mar said: “Unauthorized persons have taken advantage of the proliferation of imitations of uniforms bearing close resemblance to the official military and police uniforms to falsely represent themselves as members of the AFP or the PNP.”
He adds that wearing of police and military uniforms has become fashionable. He also confirms that these uniforms are being sold in shops near military and police camps.
“Despite all these legal prohibitions, criminal syndicates and individuals have not been deterred in using military or police uniforms in their unlawful and illegal activities,” Del Mar said.
