The 20th Davao City Council on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, approved a resolution urging the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate the unlawful use of police uniforms by civilians hired by General Nicolas Torre III during the police operations to arrest Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.
“This is addressed to DILG to conduct a thorough investigation, and perhaps if they find laws violated, they should take necessary action thereon,” Davao City Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado, the proponent of the resolution, told reporters.
Zozobrado said that the resolution is in line with the admission of Torre during the September 6 Senate Hearing that he authorized the use of police uniforms by civilians who entered the compound.
Zozobrado underscored that wearing police uniforms by a civilian violates Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code (Usurpation of Authority and Official Function) and Article 179 (illegal use of uniforms and insignias). The wearing of the same is among the prohibited acts under Davao City Ordinance No. 0361-17 Series of 2017, An Ordinance Prohibiting the Unauthorized Production, Manufacture, Storage, Sale, Distribution, Possession, or Use of Uniforms and Other Accoutrements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, The Philippine National Police, and Other Uniformed Law Enforcement Agencies in Davao City.
Zozobrado said that Torre’s authority in allowing the use of such uniforms is questionable and should his act be allowed without consequences, it may set a dangerous precedent.
“Does he have the authority to command and allow civilians to wear police uniforms? They are not even police officers that is why I said earlier in my speech na ug ingon ana mahitabo then kita pwede pud diay ta, mahimo na na nga precedent. Balewala na ang Revised Penal Code and kadtong local ordinance nato penalizing those who unlawfully use uniforms of the [police and] military. That is why it needs to be investigated by the DILG (Does he have the authority to command and allow the civilians to wear uniforms? They are not even police officers; that is why I said in my speech earlier that if that is allowed, people will think that they can also do the same, and it will become a precedent. This disregards the Revised Penal Code, the local ordinance we have penalizing those who unlawfully use the uniforms of police and military. That is why it needs to be investigated by the DILG),” Zozobrado said.
He said that he wants DILG’s clear position about this matter and to look at it seriously.
With the issue raised, he is optimistic that the DILG will heed the resolution because it concerns public interest. CIO