After receiving criticisms for its September 21 mass arrest and filing of charges against anti-corruption activists, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is lashing back at those it perceives to be “disrespecting its uniform.”
The PNP on Sunday threatened to file charges against a Halloween party-goer who wore a cop’s uniform, claiming they deserve more respect than being depicted in a costume event.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police has begun investigating a viral post of a party-goer in a cop’s uniform, adding “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,” Nartatez said.
National Police Commission (Napolcom) vice chairperson Ralph Calinisan also said he will send a show-cause order against the party-goer.
Calinisan pointed out that the police uniform is punishable under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code on Illegal Use of Uniforms and Insignias.
It was not the first time the government’s uniformed services were offended by civilians wearing their uniforms in public events.
A similar controversy happened to satirist and actor Mae Paner when she wore a soldier’s uniform in a People’s State of the Nation Address in 2017.
Threats of charges against her did not push through however after Paner and her defenders said it was part of a performance as her popular artist’s character Juana Change.
A certain Dha Isidro meanwhile claimed to have been the party-goer threatened to be summoned and investigated by the PNP and Napolcom.
In his apology, Isidro made no connection between the PNP and its actions against anti-corruption activists.
“The idea was solely all within the confines of a costume party,” Isidro wrote on Facebook.
But two freedom of expression advocates raised separate alarms that the PNP and Napolcom’s statements are overreactions to widening criticisms against their actions aimed at corruption protesters.
Musician and Concerned Artists of the Philippines secretary general Edge Uyanguren expressed disbelief at the police’s reaction, saying: “Really? Why are you going after ordinary people? Why aren’t you after the corrupt in government instead?”
Uyanguren asked why the police is going after citizens who pay their taxes instead of corrupt government officials who steal them?
“Why are you so fascist?” he asked, pointing out that while the police is busy filing charges against anti-corruption activists, not a single government official accused of stealing hundreds of billions has been so threatened the PNP.
Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pangilinan advised the Napolcom to “calm down” and instead try to understand people’s sentiments against corruption in government.
The PNP mass-arrested nearly 300 protesters last September 21, the largest such incident in the country’s recent history.
It doubled-down by conducting more arrests in subsequent anti-corruption rallies and summoning alleged leaders of the rallies.
READ: Pasig prosecutor junks ‘illegal rally’ charge vs Jonila Castro
Last Friday, the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office junked the police’s illegal assembly charge against Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment spokesperson and State abduction survivor Jonila Castro for participating in a rally last September 4. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
