Fake cop busted: Man impersonating a police officer arrested in Navotas

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 10:07 PM

by Josh Medina

3 min read

A 46-year-old man wearing a Philippine National Police (PNP) uniform was arrested in Navotas City for impersonating a police officer
Authorities were tipped off by the suspect's attire—a police uniform paired with shorts—and a visible tattoo on his arm
A subsequent investigation revealed that the suspect had an existing warrant of arrest and was a former inmate on drug-related charges
He is now facing charges of illegal use of uniforms and illegal possession of a firearm

PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!

A 46-year-old man was taken into custody in Navotas City after authorities discovered he was impersonating a police officer.

The suspect was reportedly wearing an incomplete Philippine National Police (PNP) uniform and was carrying an unlicensed firearm at the time of his arrest.

According to Police Colonel Renante Pinuela, Chief of the Navotas City Police Station, the suspect was first spotted by officers conducting a covert patrol on Marikit Street in Barangay Tanza Uno.

Read also

Arnel Pineda’s camp clarifies bench warrant, calls wife’s case retaliatory

Their suspicion was immediately raised by the man's attire.

Like and share our Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Share your thoughts in the comments. We love reading them!

He was wearing the distinctive uniform of the District and Regional Mobile Force Battalion, but oddly, he had it paired with a pair of shorts—a combination not worn by legitimate police officers.

Another "red flag" for the police was a visible tattoo on his left arm, which is generally not permitted or is covered by PNP regulations.

Upon questioning, the man admitted that he was not a police officer.

Police also discovered that he had a history of criminal activity. An existing warrant for his arrest had been issued by a court in Malabon for an anti-littering ordinance violation.

It was also found that he had previously been incarcerated for four years on drug-related charges, having been released from jail in 2021.

When confronted about his impersonation, the suspect reportedly claimed it was just a whim, perhaps to avoid being questioned or accosted by authorities.

Read also

Police officer identified as suspect in fatal Misamis Oriental van shooting

The suspect is now facing serious legal consequences for his actions.

He has been charged with Illegal Use of Uniforms or Insignia under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code and a violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition (RA 10591).

The firearm seized from him is also set to undergo a ballistic examination to determine if it has been used in any other crimes.

The Navotas City Police are investigating the suspect’s presence in the area and his possible motives, as the impersonation of police officers has become a growing concern in the country.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories.

In other news, a chilling CCTV video captured the abduction of two men by suspects who pretended to be police officers in Manila. One of the victims managed to escape when the suspects stopped at a restaurant, while his friend remains in captivity. The abductors reportedly stole ₱9,000 from the victim’s e-wallet and took his gold ring during the ordeal. The incident highlights a dangerous trend of criminals impersonating law enforcement to commit abductions and robberies.