PNP chief refuses to name convoy members who used Edsa bus lane
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil —File photo from the PNP Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Rommel Marbil, refuses to say whether the convoy caught using the exclusive bus lane along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) was his, as he aired concerns over the disclosure of its plate number.
In an interview aired over AM radio station DZBB on Wednesday, he was asked if the convoy was his, and Marbil responded in a mix of Filipino and English: “I will not say because the plate number was already revealed. I just told our police officers that if get caught there, we have to respect them [traffic officers]. Let’s give them the ticket for the emergency.”
He made the statement after reports that the convoy carried PNP “senior officers.”
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) previously stated that the Edsa busway is reserved for public utility buses, emergency vehicles, and clearly marked government vehicles.
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Article continues after this advertisementMarbil stressed, however, the need for discretion during an emergency.
“Because it’s an emergency, you have to protect the people using the lane. As I said, if they’re using blinkers, it’s because they’re in a hurry.”
Marbil also urged traffic enforcers to exercise courtesy and protect the identities of those involved in such incidents.
“All I’m saying is… Talk to them with better courtesy. If they catch our people, you have to also protect the identity of the people,” Marbil added.
While the PNP does not condone the misuse of bus lanes, Marbil said protocols had been set for emergencies.
“Our police are prohibited from using a convoy on the bus lane. In case of emergency, just follow them [and] issue the ticket. Do not argue, and simply explain why it was used,” he added.
Marbil reiterated that the proper action in such cases is to issue a ticket and allow the police to explain the emergency situation.
The PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, also said in a message to reporters early Wednesday that the PNP could not divulge the identities of those in the convoy for security reasons.
“What we can confirm is that these are senior officers holding sensitive positions,” she previously said.
Fajardo then noted that the meeting was related to an “ongoing security operation.”
Marbil confirmed this, adding that Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla would later disclose the result of the operation.
