NCRPO bans unauthorized wearing of SWAT uniforms

Metro Manila Police chief Director Jefferson Soriano has warned the public against wearing black SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) uniforms or face arrest.

Soriano issued the warning following information that some robbery groups operating in Metro Manila are using similar uniforms.

The chief of the National Capital Regional Police Office said he has standing instructions to his men in the field to arrest or shoot down armed men in black SWAT uniform.

Some robbery groups, posing as SWAT personnel, have staged 16 robbery operations in Quezon City, Pasig City, Mandaluyong City and other parts of Metro Manila since December 2007, the latest of which was the botched raid at the St. Scholastica’s College in Malate, Manila last Oct. 31.

“We are hoping to neutralize the suspects before Christmas, the incident was not only a crime against the people in Metro Manila but also a desecration of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as an organization,” Soriano added.

He said the SWAT personnel will be required to wear the standard blue uniform complete with nameplates and other identifying marks.

Soriano also said the PNP is thinking of initiating police action against some stores, particularly those operating near Camp Crame, that sell various military and police uniforms – including the black SWAT uniform – to anyone.

Meanwhile, the Manila Police District (MPD) has prohibited its police officers from wearing shirts and jackets with police markings.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales issued the directive following reports that persons wearing t-shirts or jackets with police markings perpetrated a number of extortion and robbery cases.

“Either the perpetrators of these criminal activities were real policemen or impersonators in police uniforms, so I am advising Manila residents not to deal with persons wearing only t-shirts or jackets with police markings,” Rosales told The STAR in an interview.

Rosales added that he is proposing the closure of unauthorized stores selling police uniforms and paraphernalia.

“I suggest that these stores required buyers to show their identification cards to prove that they are indeed members of the PNP. Unscrupulous persons with criminal intent procure police uniforms in their nefarious activities,” Rosales said.   – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Nestor Etolle