PNP warns public vs fake cops offering security for a fee

THE PNP-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) yesterday warned the public against the emergence of conmen posing as policemen who are offering protection and facilitation services for a fee.

PNP-IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay said they had received reports of individuals introducing themselves as IAS police officers and soliciting money in exchange for protection.

“Based on records available in the human resource management section, the reported personalities do not appear in the roster of PNP-IAS,” Dulay said.

“Our personnel have no business dealing with the public or engaging in conduct that would otherwise impede or interfere with legitimate law enforcement activities,” he added.

Dulay stressed that any person who falsely misrepresents himself to be an officer, agent, or representative of any department or agency of the government shall be criminally liable for estafa under Sec. 135 of the Revised Penal Code and Usurpation of Authority under Section 177 of the Revised Penal Code.

“We are now working with other PNP units to arrest these fake cops,” said the official.

He asked the public to report the presence of “fake cops” via email ([email protected]), or mobile phone (09260310279), or landline (02) 8723-0401 local 6665), or visit any of the national, regional, district, provincial and city police offices.

“We urge the public to be vigilant and to immediately report to the IAS any encounters with these impostors as well any illegal or suspicious activities involving purported policemen so that they may be prosecuted for the appropriate criminal charges,” said Dulay.