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:
• 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.
• 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.