03/06/2026
READ | FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
In the Philippines, there is no specific national law or Philippine National Police (PNP) regulation that expressly prescribes how a suspect wearing an artificial hairpiece must be photographed. However, under the PNP Standard Operating Procedure on the Booking of Arrested Suspects (September 5, 2011), booking and identification procedures require that a suspect's appearance be accurately and clearly documented.
As such, the following principles generally apply during the taking of mug shots:
โข Accurate Identification: A mug shot must accurately reflect a suspect's identifying features for official identification purposes. If an artificial hairpiece obscures the face, eyebrows, hairline, or other distinguishing characteristics, authorities may require its removal to ensure proper documentation.
โข Removal of Items that Conceal Identity: Law enforcement authorities may require the removal of items that conceal, alter, or obscure a person's appearance when necessary to establish an accurate identification record.
This is consistent with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Operating Manual, Chapter 2 (Admission of Inmates), Sections 4 and 5, which generally prohibits inmates from wearing other artificial hairpieces unless medically authorized.