Fake The suspect’s uniforms and fake gun. (Photo courtesy of PNP-INEG)

‘FAKE SWAT OFFICER’ NO MATCH FOR PNP-IMEG MEN

January 26, 2025 Alfred P. Dalizon 184 views

A MALABON City resident who was monitored to be posing as an officer of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the Philippine National Police found himself no match to undercover officers of the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group who arrested him last Thursday, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

Suspect Dennis F. de Guzman was wearing a PNP-SWAT uniform with a bullet-proof vest and a holstered Glock airsoft pistol with three magazines when apprehended along M. Blas Street in Malabon City at around 4:40 p.m. Thursday, said PNP-IMEG director, Colonel Bonard D. Briton.

The suspect also yielded a PNP Badge and a knife and thus will be facing criminal charges for usurpation of authority and illegal use of uniform and insignia under the Revised Penal Code and violation of the Omnibus Election Code or the Comelec-imposed gun ban aimed at keeping peace and order ahead of the May 12 National and Local Elections.

He is now being held at the PNP-IMEG lock-up facility in Camp Crame.

Prior to the Malabon operation, Col. Briton said their office came across a report that the suspect had been seen frequently wearing different sets of police uniforms and making it appear to his neighbors that he was a cop, in particular a SWAT officer.

Members of the IMEG National Capital Region Field Unit validated the complaint and launched the operation to arrest the accused after they found out that he was really a fake policeman.

Col. Briton said it was not the first time that IMEG operatives have arrested civilians pretending to be police officers to take advantage of the authority that the uniform carries prompting him to warn others from doing the same as the offense would send them to jail.

The official also maintained that they remain resolute in their mission to remove undesirables within the PNP ranks.

“This mission, that the Chief PNP General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil entrusted to us, to go after rogue cops is very solemn to us. It is not only protecting the PNP organization from negative public perception but also protecting the dignity of the uniform we wear.” Col. Briton said.

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