Looks like some enterprising individuals are selling unauthorized merchandise using the brand of the Riders’ Safety Advocates of the Philippines (RSAP), which is among the more popular groups on Facebook right now.
RSAP founder, retired Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) Col. Bonifacio Bosita himself called attention to this "illegal act" in a Facebook post Saturday, March 20.
"Ipinababatid sa lahat na ang pagbibenta ng ilang mga items gamit ang Shopee mula sa Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Region-4B na inyong makikita sa ibaba ay iligal at walang pahintulot sa pamunuan ng RSAP (This is inform everyone that the peddling of these items coming from Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Region-4B, through Shopee is illegal and without authorization from the RSAP leadership)," Bosita wrote.
"Kasalukuyan po nating inaalam kung sino ang mga nasa likod ng nabanggit na negosyo gamit ang logo ng RSAP para sa kaukulang ligal na aksyon (We are now trying to identify the persons behind this business that's been using the RSAP logo for appropriate legal action)," he said.
The merch includes face masks, caps, and the sought-after RSAP sticker. The items' cost ranges from P49 to P225.
Bosita's post was shared on the RSAP Facebook page, where it triggered a lot of the members.
"Wala po naman kasi ganyang mga items na pinagbibili ang RSAP, kasi pagtulong po ang adbokasiya ng ating founder at hindi po pagbebenta (RSAP isn't selling such items because our founder's advocacy is to help people, and not sell to people)," Richard Halili Muchillas commented.
"Dapat kasuhan ang gumagawa nyan (The person behind that should be charged)," wrote Torralba Cubillas Bradyl.
Another commenter, Jin Blake Santos, said the peddling of RSAP stickers is "unfair to those who have attended seminars", which is presumably the correct way to earn the item.
Aye Ompoc said owning an RSAP sticker is one of key proofs that a person is indeed a member of the pro-riders' group.
"'Pag may sticker ng RSAP kailangan may hawak ka ID. patunay na member ka ng RSAP at may picture kyu sa cp. mu nksama mu c Col.Bosita (If you have an RSAP sticker, you should also have an ID to prove you're an RSAP member as well as selfie on your phone with Col. Bosita)," Ompoc said.
Among the most triggered commenters over the unauthorized merch sale was Jurgen Cañete Babor, who gave a stern warning against the non-RSAP members who would dare use the RSAP on their vehicles.
"'Wag po kayong mag lagay ng stickers ng di kayo legit member..pag nasalubong kita may itatanong ako sayo na di mo masagud ipabaglas ko talaga sayo ang sticker kung hindi hanapan kita ng puwidi kung ikaso sayo (Don't use the stickers of you aren't a legit member…should I run into you and ask you something about the group that you can't answer, I will make you remove the sticker and if you don't I'll look for a violation to charge you with)," he said.
"Kung tunay na idol mo si Col. Bosita o ang isang samahan gumawa ka ng paran para maging legal member ka (If Col. Bosita is really your idol, or vouch for a particular group, then you will find a way to become a legal member)," he added.
The RSAP page has over 800,000 members. (Ellson A. Quismorio)