Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines
TWO Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) escorts of Senator Francis Tolentino were apprehended by members of the Philippine National Highway Patrol Group (HPG) for improper use of sirens and police stickers in Paranaque City, Wednesday night.
Reports said the HPG flagged down Tolentino’s convoy after two of his escorts were caught using sirens along Diokno Avenue corner Aseana near Solaire in Parañaque Wednesday (May 29) night.
Tolentino has two MMDA escorts as its former chairperson.
Tolentino’s escorts were apprehended because their motorcycles used sirens and bore unauthorized police stickers and “Master Rider’s Badge” on the windscreen and saddle box.
In an interview with reporters, HPG-National Capital Region field unit chief Col. Neil Francia said the apprehended escorts were assisting a “VIP” that night.
“Nalaman lang namin – after doon sa matagal na pagkuwestiyon namin sa mga riders – na may VIP siya. Nagbukas si Senator Tolentino at tinanong kung pwede na silang umalis,” Francia said.
“Sabi ko, yes sir, kasi motor lang naman ang ano namin dahil sa police markings. Hinayaan namin sila umalis kasi authorized naman siya magkaroon ng escort. Yun lang ang mali, yung mga riders, na mayroong police markings,” he added.
Tolentino was caught using escorts with sirens despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Administrative Order No. 18 which prohibited the government’s “unauthorized and indiscriminate use” of sirens, dome lights and blinkers except for emergency situations.
In a statement on Thursday (May 30), Tolentino said he would give way to the investigation on his escorts’ allegedly unauthorized use of commercially available police stickers.
He apologized for his escorts’ infraction and violation of the administration’s no wang wang policy.
