Ogie Diaz fires back at Napolcom vice chair over criticism of partygoer dressed as cop

Showbiz vlogger Ogie Diaz slammed National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chair Ralph Calinisan for his public rebuke of a man who attended a Halloween party in a police uniform. 

In a Facebook post on Nov. 2, Calinisan demanded a public apology from the partygoer who dressed as a policeman for Halloween, at the same time giving a warning that the commission would issue a show-cause order to the concerned partygoer. 

“Mukhang Halloween Party pala ang pinuntahan nitong taong ito (It seems this person went to a Halloween party). Tomorrow, on behalf of all our policemen, I will issue a Show Cause Order against you and demand a public apology from you. If we do not hear from you, expect a case to be filed against you. Respect your men in uniform,” said the vice chair. 

Diaz responded with an open letter on his Facebook account on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and questioned the basis for the commission’s strong criticism as he explained that the partygoer did not even carry an unlicensed gun. 

“Juice ko, costume nga po yan. At pwede ngang idenay yan sa harap niyo na naka-police uniform siya. Otherwise, Sir Ralph Calinisan, para mapa-sorry niyo siya eh makiusap kayo sa kanya na palagyan ng manggas ‘yung telang isinuot niya,” said Diaz.

(My take is that it’s a costume. And he can even deny in front of you that he wore a police uniform. Otherwise, Sir Ralph Calinisan, if you want him to apologize, ask him to put sleeves on the fabric he wore.) 

“Paano natin mapagkakamalang nagpupulis-pulisan ‘yan kung sinandohan lang tayo? Malakas lang maka-tanga ‘yung ating kuda. Di bale sana kung may bitbit na totoong baril ‘yan na walang lisensya, ayan sige, hulihin niyo,” continued the entertainment vlogger.

(How can we mistake him for actually impersonating a cop if we’re only being fancied? Our reaction looks foolish. It would be different if he had a real, unlicensed firearm; then yes, arrest him.) 

Diaz argued that it’s best if the police commission would focus on apprehending corrupt officials and improving the quality of law enforcement in the country. 

“Sir, mas bibilib po sa inyo yung taumbayan kung makakapagpakulong kayo ng corrupt officials. O kaya magpakulong kayo ng tiwaling pulis na totoong uniporme ang suot, may tsapa at insignia pa,” said the showbiz vlogger. 

(Sir, the public would respect you more if you could jail corrupt officials. Or jail crooked cops who wear the real uniform, with rank and insignia.) 

Diaz asserted that Halloween is about showing off costumes and not meant to be a cause of shallow controversy. 

Prior to his Facebook post, Calinisan earlier reminded the public that the illegal use of the Philippine National Police uniform is punishable under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Illegal Use of Uniforms and Insignias). 

On Nov. 4, the Halloween partygoer, whom the commission identified as Daryll Isidro, appeared at the Napolcom office in Quezon City to apologize. Calinisan said he withdrew the case after Isidro’s appearance. /ra