THE use of police and military uniforms by civilians and other paramilitary groups remains illegal.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde underscored the prohibition while uniforms being used by members of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) in some of their official gatherings is allowed.
Albayalde, who headed the Command Conference at Camp Bado Dangwa, explained use of paramilitary type uniforms by some organizations is allowed provided it does not replicate the uniforms of law enforcement agencies in the country.
“That would depend, the use of uniforms is allowed provided it would not be uniforms of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines which are prohibited,” Albayalde said.
The PNP chief added that as part of its reintegration process to society through peace programs initiated by the government, members of the CPLA are now not allowed to bear arms.
“What is prohibited is for them to bear arms. If they still believe in their advocacy then we have no problem with that we respect the freedom of speech and their freedom of assembly, and we respect these freedom,” Albayalde added.
Albayalde earlier gave directives to the Police Regional Office – Cordillera to discuss with members of the CPLA leadership on the use of their uniforms.
“We will coordinate with their leaders so that this can be addressed. I have given an earlier directive to the operations officer and even the regional director if there would be a need for them to discuss this with their leaders,” Albayalde added.