Anti-crime measure: PNP imposes ban on wearing of ‘Pulis’ shirts in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police has asked merchants to stop selling the policemen’s blue Patrol T-shirts that are now being used by criminals in staging their acts, its spokesman said Wednesday.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said that National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina had ordered the ban of shirts worn by police officers in Metro Manila after it was discovered that a group of carjackers used similar shirts in a recent incident in Metro Manila,.

“Madalas na kasing gayahin (It’s because the shirts are often copied),” Cerbo explained.

Instead of the shirt with the word “Pulis” on it, Metro Manila cops are now made to wear their general office attire, which is harder to copy because its manufacture is being regulated.

Under the law, a civilian is not allowed to wear a police uniform in any circumstance, but according to Cerbo, the purchase of the Patrol shirts is not covered.