Fake cop helps catch drug users

MANILA, Philippines - A former overseas worker was arrested in Quezon City yesterday for posing as a police officer, even wearing a complete uniform of the Special Action Force (SAF), the elite unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Wala po ako pag-abuso. Masarap lang po sa pakiramdam pag nagsusuot ako ng ganito (There is no abuse. I feel good when I wear this),” said Robert Esperanza, 49, in an interview with reporters following his arrest.

He said he always wanted to be a police officer but flunked the PNP examination.

Esperanza said he helped out by arresting drug users and referring them to barangay officials for proper disposition.

He said even his neighbors believed he was a police officer.

Esperanza was arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Detective Special Operations Unit while wearing the complete SAF uniform along Republic Avenue in Fairview.

Two more sets of police uniforms, an unlicensed handgun and several fake PNP identification cards bearing Esperanza’s name were confiscated from him.

He will be charged with usurpation of authority, illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and falsification of public documents.