DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan – A security guard posing as a police officer was arrested last Tuesday in a checkpoint in Cabangan, Zambales, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) reported Friday.
Police said the suspect, Medel dela Cruz, 43, a resident of Olongapo City, was held by members of Cabangan Municipal Station at the checkpoint on the national highway in Barangay Dolores.
The suspect was driving a blue Toyota Innova with five minors on board coming from Olongapo when he was flagged down by cops.
Dela Cruz, who was wearing an olive green T-shirt with “Pulis” marking and a pair of black maong pants, introduced himself as “Lt. Col. dela Cruz.”
When the police verified his assignment, it turned out that Dela Cruz was not in any way connected with the Philippine National Police (PNP), prompting the cops to arrest him.
Confiscated from him were a .45-caliber pistol loaded with magazine and six live bullets.
Charges for violation of Article 177 (usurpation of authority), Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (unauthorized use of PNP uniform), and Republic Act (RA) 11332 will be filed against him.
“This serves as a lesson and warning to all civilians who are intentionally pretending to be members of the PNP so that they could carry out their illegal activities. The PNP military uniform is a symbol of authority that must be used properly and with dignity,” PRO3 director Police Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon said.