The arrested suspect (Photo from SPD)
A 38-year-old man was arrested for his unauthorized use of a Philippine National Police (PNP) uniform on Monday, April 8.
The Southern Police District (SPD) said the suspect, identified as alias Jefferson, was arrested at around 11:00 a.m. at PITX Terminal in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.
The SPD said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Tupil, assigned to the SPD-District Traffic Unit (DTU), was on board a bus which was cruising along Coastal Road when he noticed a man wearing the PNP uniform, jogging pants, and slippers.
The suspect was reportedly behaving suspiciously while taking "selfie" photos inside the bus.
Tupil approached the suspect as they approached the PITX Terminal and requested for his PNP identification card which Jefferson failed to provide.
Tupil immediately coordinated with the Parañaque City police Sub-station 2 and subsequently arrested the suspect.
Alias Jefferson is now detained at the Parañaque police custodial facility and was charged for usurpation of authority and illegal use of the PNP uniform.
The SPD reminded the public that only bona fide members of the PNP are authorized to wear its uniforms and that unauthorized use of it could lead to charges of Usurpation of Authority under Art. 177 of the Revised Penal Code.