Two actors were arrested on Sunday, December 2, for illegal use of police uniform in a shooting for a film in Cainta, Rizal.
According to the film’s producer, Faustino Angeles Jr., they were shooting a scene involving two actors playing the role of cops in a drug raid when the team was approached by the officials of Barangay San Isidro, reported GMA News.
The team was invited to the barangay office to discuss their usage of police uniforms in the shoot. They explained that the uniforms were only for shooting purposes and that the cops are not portrayed negatively in the scene being shot.
Despite this, the team was still referred to the police station where mugshots of the two actors were taken. The two actors were also put behind bars for usurpation of authority at illegal use of uniforms.
Cainta Police chief, Police Superintendent Pablito Naganag, explained that the team should have secured permits with the barangay where the shoot was conducted and the Philippine National Police as usage of police uniforms in scenes involving guns could pose fear among residents.
Naganag added that some criminals in the area also pose as police so they are very careful in the usage of police uniforms especially for non-members of the police force.
Recently, teleserye favorite “Ang Probinsyano” received flak from the PNP for allegedly portraying the Philippine police in a bad light, which garnered adverse reactions from the TV show’s adoring fans, with others stating that to impose on the writers how the plot develops is detrimental to their artistic freedom and freedom of expression.
