Policewoman in bra controversy says photo not indecent

The policewoman who became controversial after she posted on the Internet a photograph of herself wearing only a bra, came out yesterday and defended herself in a counter-affidavit she filed at the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

The policewoman, whose identity has been withheld, however refused to be interviewed by media. She has a rank of Police Officer 2.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon has ordered all 119,000 members of the PNP to be responsible in their actions since, whatever they do, they represent the police organization.

“I just hope that this incident would serve as lesson to everybody to be responsible with their actions,” Calderon said in a radio interview yesterday.

Napolcom officials said the policewoman, whose user name is “Queen Rubie,” could face administrative charges and may even be dismissed from the service.

A source close to the policewoman maintained that the photograph, which was used as basis in filing charges against her before the Napolcom, was not indecent and unacceptable as described by complainant Corazon Santos.

The source said that the policewoman believes that the charges filed against her at the Napolcom were part of a “personal vendetta.” The source did not elaborate.

Reports said that Mrs. Santos, a mother of two from Cainta, Rizal, sent an e-mail to the PNP on June 20 complaining that a police officer with user name “Queen Rubie” posted an “indecent” photo on Friendster, a popular online network.

The photo of the woman wearing a red bra and another photo showing her in police uniform has already been replaced in the site.

The complainant said the controversial picture was found on the Internet by her nine-year-old son. It showed a close-up of the policewoman wearing a red bra. The caption read: “May ipagmamalaki ba (worth showing off)?” The photo gallery had other photos of the policewoman, some showing her in uniform.

Santos said the incident should serve as a reminder to the police force to be more responsible in their actions.

She said she received various e-mail messages after she was notified by the Napolcom that an investigation was being conducted.