Civilians who generate and publicly post artificial intelligence (AI) images depicting themselves in Philippine National Police (PNP) uniforms may face criminal prosecution, according to the Police Regional Office (PRO-6).

In a press conference on Monday, Aug. 24, PRO-6 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said that while using AI software or editing tools is not inherently illegal, using technology to misrepresent oneself as an active police officer constitutes an outright legal violation.

The warning follows a recent social media trend, particularly on platforms like Facebook, where numerous users have been uploading AI-edited photos showing themselves wearing official PNP uniforms and holding firearms.

According to PRO-6, non-members of the PNP who participate in the trend and share such images publicly may face criminal charges under Philippine law, including:

▪️Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC): Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions
▪️Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC): Illegal Use of Uniforms or Insignia
▪️Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012): Applied in conjunction with RPC violations committed through information and communications technology (ICT).

“Using an AI tool is not a criminal action in itself,” Tuaño explained. “However, when it is used as a tool to present or introduce yourself as a member of the Philippine National Police and you post it publicly, that becomes a violation of Articles 177 and 179 of the Revised Penal Code, for which you can be prosecuted.”

PRO-6 stressed that context is the key factor in determining whether a criminal violation has occurred.

“The violation depends on the context of how it is posted,” Tuaño noted. “If it is strictly for personal use or shown privately to friends, we do not see a violation. But once it is posted publicly to portray oneself as a police officer, that is where the violation comes in.”

Police authorities urged the public to exercise responsibility online and refrain from misusing official law enforcement symbols, insignia, and uniforms—even in digital or AI-manipulated forms.IMT