AFP plans legal steps vs ‘Juana Change’ for wearing military attire at rally

Political activist and showbiz personality Mae Paner in military uniform, acting as “General Juana Change,” at a protest action in Batasan during the second Sona of President Rodrigo Duterte. JHESSET ENANO / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said it will take a legal action against political activist Mae Paner, also known as Juana Change, for her inappropriate wearing of the military uniform.

“Her act of illegally using an AFP uniform is in violation of Art 179 of the RPC (Unauthorized Use of Uniforms) and RA 493 (Prohibition of Use of Insignias, Decorations, Badges and patches prescribed for the AFP),” AFP spokesperson Brig Gen. Restituto Padilla said in a statement.

Paner wore a camouflage, battle-dress attire in a protest action early this week during President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address.

Padilla said Paner’s wearing of the military uniform, when in fact she is not a member of the Armed Forces, was a form of disrespect. Paner is not even a member of the AFP reservist corps.

“We will take the necessary legal action to hold Ms. Paner,” he said, adding they will not ask her to stop from doing it again.

“..Each time she wears it is counted as one more violation. Hence she is compounding her liabilities all the more,” Padilla said.

The photos of Paner in military uniform circulated the social media this week, earning different comments from netizens. JPV/rga