Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday issued a stern warning against the misuse of the EDSA Busway exemption, following public outrage over Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Marbil's recent actions. In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the administration will not condone any abusive behavior regarding this matter.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro reminded government officials that the busway should only be utilized during verified emergencies. She clarified that attending 'emergency meetings' does not qualify for the exemption, suggesting that officials should plan accordingly to avoid misuse. "Emergency meeting is not included in the exemption. If there is an emergency meeting, it is better for them to leave their house early," Castro stated.

General Marbil recently explained that a PNP convoy used the EDSA busway to expedite travel to Camp Crame in Quezon City for an 'emergency meeting.' However, Castro reiterated that any form of abuse will not be tolerated, and hinted at the possibility of imposing stricter penalties for violators, particularly public servants. "If there is abuse, they will be held accountable," she asserted.

In a related development, the PNP has committed to engaging with the public "in a transparent and responsible manner." This statement comes in response to allegations of a leaked memorandum that purportedly instructed police officials to "amplify" their operational achievements to overshadow the issue at hand. The PNP acknowledged the circulating reports and confirmed that they are conducting an internal verification process to assess the memorandum's authenticity and context.

The PNP further urged the community to depend on verified sources of information to prevent the spread of misinformation and speculation.