Policemen patrolling the streets will now be sporting a new upper uniform bearing their names and badge numbers to allow citizens to distinguish them from criminals masquerading as law enforcers.
Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said policemen on foot and mobile patrol will be issued blue golf shirts to give them flexibility in chasing criminals who try to evade arrest.
“The uniform, along with the patch, serves as a symbol of the authority and responsibility bestowed upon us as enforcers,” he said.
“The uniform is a symbol of the worthiness of the police officer to uphold the law.”
Verzosa said the name and badge numbers of policemen will be embroidered on the fabric to prevent criminals from imitating the police uniforms.
“These criminals are tarnishing the sanctity and integrity of the PNP uniform as well as the institution,” he said.
Verzosa said the lower part of the uniform of patrolmen will remain the same – standard blue pants with thin stripes.
Policemen assigned to other duties will continue to wear their present uniforms of blue polo shirts and pants, he added.
Verzosa’s statement was read by Director Jefferson Soriano, PNP chief directorial staff, during the launching of the new uniform at the National Capital Region Police Office in Quezon City.
Police are going after unauthorized distributors and retailers of police and military uniforms to prevent criminals from using them, Verzosa said.
Robbers killed during a shootout in Parañaque last Friday were wearing police uniforms, according to Soriano.
Last month, gunmen wearing police SWAT uniforms robbed the main office of the Light Rail Transit Authority on Aurora Boulevard in Pasay City.