Showbiz vlogger and comedian Ogie Diaz took to Facebook to criticize National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Vice Chair Ralph Calinisan for reprimanding a man who attended a Halloween party wearing a police uniform.
The controversy began when Calinisan posted on his official Facebook account photos of the individual wearing what appeared to be a police uniform. In his post, the vice chair said the act was disrespectful to law enforcement and warned that the NAPOLCOM would issue a show cause order against the man.
“Mukhang Halloween Party pala ang pinuntahan nitong taong ito. 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,” Calinisan wrote on Nov. 2.
The post quickly went viral and drew mixed reactions online — among them, a fiery open letter from Ogie Diaz, who found the action excessive and unnecessary.
“Juice ko, costume nga po ‘yan. At puwedeng idenay ‘yan sa harap niyo na naka-police uniform siya,” Diaz wrote.
“Otherwise, Sir Ralph Calinisan, para mapa-sorry niyo siya, eh makiusap kayo sa kanya na palagyan ng manggas ‘yung telang isinuot niya. Paano natin mapagkakamalang nagpupulis-pulisan ‘yan kung sinandohan lang tayo? Malakas lang maka-tanga ‘yung ating kuda.”
The ‘Showbiz Update’ host added that authorities should instead focus on pursuing corrupt public officials and abusive police officers rather than penalizing Halloween partygoers.
“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,” he said.
Ogie further argued that Halloween is a celebration of creativity, not an occasion for government officials to issue threats.
“Halloween party nga, ‘di ba? So labanan ng costume — nakakatakot man o hindi. Ang nakakatakot ay itong ganito kabababaw na reklamo at argumento. Tapos ipapatawag pa. Scary, ‘di ba? Aba’y pang-Halloween nga,” he quipped.
The comedian concluded his statement by urging officials to uphold respect for the police force through meaningful reforms rather than fear.
“Alagaan po natin at ingatan ang kapulisan sa tama at makabuluhang paraan, ‘wag sa ganitong pasimpleng siga-sigaan. Baka dumikit sa utak ng marami na mula bata hanggang pagtanda ay dapat talaga tayong matakot sa mga pulis, imbes na maramdaman nating safe tayo sa kanila.”
Earlier, Calinisan reminded the public that the illegal use of police uniforms and insignia is punishable under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code.
On November 4, the man in question — identified by the commission as Daryll Isidro — personally appeared at the NAPOLCOM office in Quezon City to apologize. Calinisan later said he decided to withdraw the case following Isidro’s appearance and apology.
