Belmonte thanks QCPD chief for reinstating cop involved in Commonwealth traffic incident
By Hannah Nicol
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte thanked Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan for reinstating the relieved policeman who was involved in the traffic confusion incident on Commonwealth Avenue in the city on Oct. 5.

“We thank Quezon City Police District Director PBGEN. Rederico Maranan for the prompt return to duty of Police Executive Master Sgt. Verdo Pantollano, who was involved in the issue of traffic disruption on Commonwealth Avenue,” she said.
Pantollano, assigned to the QCPD Holy Spirit Station (PS 14), was involved in the traffic confusion when he temporarily halted vehicles on Commonwealth Avenue after he "mistakenly heard" that Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio's vehicle would pass through the thoroughfare on Oct. 5.
The next day, Maranan relieved Pantollano from his post and apologized to the public for the inconvenience brought by the traffic confusion incident.
Belmonte said she urged Maranan to reinstate Pantollano last Oct. 9.
“I strongly urged Gen. Maranan to reinstate relieved cop Pantollano following a clarification by MMDA Chairman Rolando Artes that interrupting traffic flow as a courtesy to VIPs is a normal practice. I believed that an injustice was done to Pantollano when he was relieved for simply carrying out his duties,” Belmonte said.
Maranan immediately reinstated the policeman to his post at the Holy Spirit Police Station (PS 14).
The city mayor stated that less influential individuals should not be held responsible for merely following instructions.
“We uphold principles of fairness and justice in our city and strive to ensure that no one bears the burden of something that is not their fault,” she added.