Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Wednesday defended the police's right to use the EDSA busway during an emergency. Marbil made the remark as he neither confirmed nor denied reports that he was the ranking police official onboard one of the white vans in the convoy apprehended by the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) for passing through the EDSA bus lane on Tuesday night.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marbil stated there was an emergency meeting of top police officials with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla before the convoy was stopped at the EDSA busway. The meeting, which required the presence of higher-ups, was related to an accomplishment that occurred the previous night.
The SAICT report indicated that the convoy, composed of two sports utility vehicles and Highway Patrol Group (HPG) motorcycles, used the northbound EDSA busway in the Ortigas area. In a video, one of the officers mentioned that they were accompanying the PNP chief.
In a phone interview with Camp Crame reporters, Marbil noted that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has guidelines allowing PNP vehicles to use the EDSA bus lane "in case of emergency, national issues." He emphasized the operation was a duty-bound emergency.
Marbil also expressed dissatisfaction with the unauthorized release of the license plates of the vehicles in the police convoy, stressing the importance of privacy and protection for those involved.
In a press conference at Camp Crame, PNP public information chief Col. Randulf Tua±o stated that the police force is considering discussions with the DOTr and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to explore possible exemptions for police use of the EDSA busway during emergencies.
Currently, in addition to city buses, only emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and convoys of high-ranking officials like the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice are permitted to use the EDSA busway.
