Rubber shoes give fake cop away

MANILA, Philippines - A construction worker is facing criminal charges for dressing up and posing as a policeman after his rubber shoes gave him away.

Jerry Pamintuan, 42, did not seem to know what his real “rank” was, said Quezon City Police District director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano.

Pamintuan claimed he was a Police Officer 3 while his patch said he held the rank of an Inspector, which is five levels higher. 

According to Albano, Pamintuan was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Barangay East Kamias. The suspect was wearing the police uniform while driving a motorcycle at past 4 p.m.

Police Officer 3 Rodolfo Ramos spotted the suspect’s “improper” shoes, said QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao. 

Ramos asked a fellow policeman to accompany him to chase the suspect, who was cornered at a gasoline station at the intersection of Kasing-Kasing street and Kamias Road, Pagdilao said.

The suspect claimed he was “PO3 Thompson” of the Pampanga police station, but could not produce an identification card or a badge, Pagdilao said.

QCPD Station 9 commander Superintendent Richard Fiesta said a body search revealed the suspect was also carrying a fan knife.

Pamintuan will be charged with usurpation of authority and violation of the election-related ban on deadly weapons.