MANILA, Philippines—The Quezon City Police District urged the public to be wary of criminals masquerading as officers of the law and gave out a few tricks how to outwit them.
QCPD director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega said it is possible to “outwit” fake policemen especially if there is no violation or valid reason why one is being “arrested.”
“You could even ask them who their DD is,” he said, referring to the initials of his post of district director.
Dela Vega added that the public should ask more questions especially if there is no actual violation to catch the crooks off-guard.
“You could ask them who their team leader is, who their unit head is,” the official said.
The QCPD issued the reminder after the arrest of eight men pretending to be policemen last week. The suspects, it turned out, had victimized and robbed at least four complainants since July.
Fairview police station commander Superintendent Virgilio Fabian whose men arrested the suspects said the hoodlums also employed, like real cops, informants or assets to point out possible victims to shake down for cash.
One of the complainants, a drug detainee, said the suspects wore fatigue uniforms when they ransacked his house in July.
Dela Vega explained that the public should ask for proper identification to determine if they are really policemen.
As a counter measure, one can check with the nearest police station for their identities.
“Someone can accompany or insist on following the one being ‘arrested’ just to see where he or she will be brought,” Dela Vega said.
Such measures, the official said, may help in outsmarting people pretending to be policemen.
He cited the case of a woman who saw her son being accosted by the fake cops for no valid reason. Dela Vega said the suspects failed to get the son because the mother kept on asking questions and pointed out that there was no reason for the “arrest.”