‘Fake cop’ arrested

CEBU, Philippines —  A 21-year-old woman was arrested yesterday morning for wearing a uniform of the Philippine National Police near a mall in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

The police identified the arrested person as Lyza Dagpin, 21, a native of Dapitan City in Zamboanga Del Norte.

Police Major Eraño Regidor, Chief of the Mabolo Police Station 4 of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said the suspect was frantic when she noticed that real cops were approaching her.

Members of the Cebu City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) were conducting an Urban Patrolling from JY Square to I.T. Park, in accordance with the directive of Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Brigadier General Jerry Bearis for police visibility, when they chanced upon Dagpin.

The police then approached Dagpin and interrogated her and asked her for an identification card, what batch and who her classmates were, but she did not answer.

She later admitted she was not a member of the police force, as she immediately removed the police uniform she was wearing.

"Gidala diri sa police station.  Ang gihimo karon sa suspek, akong gi-check ni basin syndicated ni kay pag-abot diri ni-aksyon og likoy. Murag part sa iyahang defense ba nga there's something wrong niya or kaning gitawag nato nga mental disorder," said Regidor.

The police will continue to investigate her and would just leave the prosecutor to decide on the criminal complaint they would be filing against her.

A complaint for usurpation of authority, as well as illegal use of uniform and insignia, will be filed against Dagpin.

The police also urged any victim of Dagpin to file a complaint.

PRO-7 Spokesperson Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare said there is a law that prohibits any civilian from wearing a PNP uniform or insignia, as well as usurping the duties of police officers. — GAN (FREEMAN)