PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. has reiterated his directive regarding the crackdown on the unauthorized sale and use of police uniforms.

“It is essential to remind everyone that we do not tolerate any misuse of our police uniform and insignia. Unauthorized use, particularly for committing heinous crimes, is a serious offense that will be met with legal consequences,” the top cop said.

Acorda also directed PNP Director for Research and Development Brigadier Gen. Westrimundo D. Obinque to ensure that only duly-accredited PNP suppliers and dealers will be allowed to sell police uniforms to members of the force.

“I have asked the PNP-DRD to check our suppliers, reassess the situation and be strict in implementing the provision of the law. We should be watchful of these stores,” he said.

Acorda issued the instructions amid a robbery-holdup in Koronadal City last February 23 in which rifle-wielding thieves, one of them wearing a police uniform, robbed a pawnshop at gunpoint.

The man wearing a police uniform during the heist was found to be a fake cop, he said.

The Koronadal City local government has offered a P500,000 reward for any information that would lead to the identification and arrest of the armed men.

The police are also conducting follow-up operations to apprehend at least six suspects in the daring heist.

PNP spokesperson, Colonel Jean S. Fajardo said two of the suspects, who posed as ‘police officers’ during the heist, have been positively identified by witnesses and are now the subject of a manhunt.

She said that one of the two who was seen wearing a police athletic uniform with a black jacket was found to be previously jailed for a robbery-holdup.

The 2ndfake cop was also seen wearing a PNP athletic uniform.

Fajardo said that one of the suspects’ getaway motorcycles has been recovered and subjected to a forensic examination to determine DNA samples left by its driver and passenger.

The last registered owner of the motorbike is already being investigated, she added.

The PNP spokesperson, however, said that the local police are still awaiting for a formal report from the pawnshop regarding the actual amount of money they lost during the robbery.

She added that police are looking into all possible angles on why the robbers easily gained entry into the establishment which was found to have been robbed already in 2014.

The investigation showed that three of the armed robbers easily entered the pawnshop without being accosted by the security guards.

Acorda said that unauthorized use of police uniforms and other accouterment (accessory items) is a “criminal offense.”

Even New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in the past have managed to attack some police stations and other facilities by disguising themselves as police officers.

“We have been receiving complaints regarding the presence of some persons who are engaged in the unauthorized use of PNP uniforms and thus would want to warn these persons they may be held liable under the law,” Col. Fajardo said.