QCPD chief issues tips to outwit fake cops

MANILA, Philippines - Following the arrest of robbery suspects posing as police officers, Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega gave advice on how to “outwit” criminals pretending to be law enforcers.

“You could even ask them who their DD is,” Dela Vega said. “You should outwit them.”

Dela Vega said the term “DD,” which is commonly used to refer to him as district director, may be unfamiliar to some criminal groups.

“You could ask them who their team leader is, (or) who their unit head is,” he said, adding that “you should ask these questions, especially if you know you don’t have any violation.

On Friday last week, seven men posing as policemen were arrested at a checkpoint in Fairview, Quezon City. During a follow-up operation, another alleged cohort was arrested at a house, where two motorcycles with “police” markings were recovered.

QCPD Station 5 commander Superintendent Virgilio Fabian, whose men arrested the suspects, said a background check revealed the suspects were even using “assets” or informants, just like policemen, in targeting some of their victims.

Dela Vega said the public should ask for proper identification cards and, if only to delay potential robbers, countercheck with the nearest police station.

“A friend or a relative could even insist on following them to where the one being ‘arrested’ would be brought,” Dela Vega said.

The police official said by asking questions, one could avoid getting victimized by fake police officers. Dela Vega cited the case of the teenager whose mother saw the fake policemen accosting her son for no apparent reason. Because the mother did not give up her son, the fake policemen failed to kidnap and rob him.