Malacañang official: Emergency meeting not covered by Edsa busway exemptions
Malacañang on Thursday rejected the justification given by Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil for the unauthorized use of the Edsa busway.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that while the law allows for several exemptions, these do not include PNP officials who are rushing to attend an “emergency meeting.”
“The present regulations provide that in case of emergency and [while] on duty, [police officers and firefighters] may be allowed to use the Edsa busway. When we say that the exemption includes members of the PNP, ambulances, or fire trucks, this does not include anyone hurrying to attend an emergency meeting,” she said.
“Before anyone uses the busway, they must make sure that they are not abusing the right that was given to them by using the word ‘emergency,’” she added.
According to Castro, “The Palace does not want any form of abuse and would not tolerate these kinds of activities. So, definitely, whoever is found to have committed this abuse should face the consequences.”
She issued the statement after Marbil on Wednesday defended a PNP convoy’s use of the Edsa busway on Tuesday night, saying the officers in the vehicles needed to rush to Camp Crame for an “emergency meeting.”
The convoy composed of Highway Patrol Group motorcycles escorting two sport utility vehicles with supposed “senior officials” on board was stopped by operatives of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation at the Ortigas section of the busway.
No confirmation, denial
Up to Thursday, Marbil continued to refuse to say whether he was part of the convoy, drawing even more flak on social media.
Worse, a supposed memorandum from the PNP Directorate for Police Community Relations discussed a “communications strategy” that would effectively stonewall information on the incident.
The Police Community Affairs and Development Group was also tasked “to mobilize resources to overshadow the issue” and amplify positive police initiatives.
In reaction, the PNP public information office said it was trying to verify the authenticity of the memo.
It added that it “does not condone any attempt to manipulate public perception or divert attention from matters of public concern.”
“We remain committed to accountability and due process in addressing any infractions involving our personnel,” it said.
According to Castro, anyone caught “abusing” the privilege to use the Edsa busway would have to face sanctions.
She said Malacañang was open to discussion on increasing the penalty for the unauthorized use of Edsa busway, especially for government personnel, from the present P5,000 fine.
