PNP defends convoy for using EDSA Busway
The Philippine National Police (PNP) wants to clear the air over an incident that happened on the EDSA Busway.
Last night, a PNP convoy was flagged down by operatives of the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) for illegally using the EDSA Busway. The PNP then confirmed that the convoy was theirs, and was transporting high-ranking officials to Camp Crame.
“Yesterday there [was] an emergency and there [was] an issue that we have to resolve, so the SILG (DILG Secretary) will announce the accomplishment yesterday. We need the presence of our police higher-ups because they had a closed-door meeting and something happened in the operation last night,” said PNP chief, Police General Rommel Marbil.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) made it very clear that the EDSA Busway is not an extra lane along the country’s busiest thruway for VIPs. Though the DOTr has allowed emergency vehicles such as ambulances carrying patients, there are only 5 other people who can use the EDSA Busway: the President, Vice President, Chief of Justice, Senate President, and House Speaker.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson, Police BGen. Jean Fajardo, defended the police for using the EDSA Busway, saying that a high-level emergency meeting is considered an “emergency” and is allowed under the current busway SOP.
“There is something in the guidelines that if the PNP officers are in an urgent situation and emergency in nature, they can pass through [the buslane],” said BGen. Fajardo during a press briefing.
The DOTr has yet to issue a statement as of press time.
