Policewoman in ‘indecent’ Friendster photo reassigned

The policewoman who got in hot water with the police leadership for posting an “indecent” photo of hers on the popular Friendster online community, has been reassigned by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon.

Calderon ordered the transfer of the policewoman who goes by the username “Queen Rubie” to the PNP Holding Center from her assignment at the office of the PNP chief.

Calderon said the transfer was meant to warn all 119,000 members of the police force to be responsible with their actions since they carry the PNP organization wherever they go and whatever they do.

“I just hope that this incident would serve as lesson to everybody to be responsible for their actions,” he stressed.

The policewoman’s controversial half-body shot photo showed her wearing only a red bra.

Although the picture did not indicate that she is a policeman with a rank of PO2, Queen Rubie listed the PNP in her list of affiliations.

Reports had it that the National Police Commission (Napolcom), the agency of the Philippine government that administers and controls the PNP, had to dismiss the charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of an officer against Queen Rubie because of the failure of complainant Corazon Santos to show up.

The complainant, a parent, claimed she was scandalized when she saw the picture being browsed by her 11-year-old son on Friendster, an Internet social network service.

A source close to Queen Rubie said she was waiting for the right forum or venue to air her side, but this never came because the parent did not make her complaint formal.

“She was not given a chance to explain, she was just maligned in public without basis,” said the source.

The source maintained that the photo, which was used as basis in filing charges against her before the Napolcom, was not indecent and unacceptable as pictured by Santos.

The source also said the policewoman believed “personal vendetta” was involved in the filing of charges. The source did not elaborate.

The source noted that other policewomen had posted pictures that are more scandalous than that of Queen Rubie’s in their Friendster accounts. But after the scandal broke, the source said these pictures were taken out.