HPG-7 cracks down on unauthorized blinkers

CEBU CITY – Police reminded the public against the unauthorized use of blinkers and sirens following a hit-and-run incident here recently.

Police Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, chief of the Highway Patrol Group-Central Visayas (HPG-7), said that under Republic Act 4136 or the  Land Transportation and Traffic Code, civilians are not allowed to use blinkers and sirens in their vehicles.

Under the law, blinkers and sirens are only allowed in police vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks.

The reminder on the authorized use of sirens and blinkers was issued following a hit-and-run incident where the vehicle that hit and killed a motorist allegedly had blinkers on.

The incident happened on Sunday, February 4. Jeslar Uriel Larumbe, 23, died in the incident.

Parilla said there are barangay-owned vehicles with sirens and blinkers but they were accredited by hospitals to be used as ambulances.

He said there are government-owned vehicles that have blinkers but there should be police officers on board when they are being used in traffic-related operations.

Last year, at least 66 individuals were issued with Temporary Operator's Permit  (TOP) for unauthorized use of blinkers. Seven others were issued with TOPs for illegal use of sirens, Parilla said.

Parilla the HPG-7 needs the help of the public to help in the crackdown on illegal use of sirens and blinkers.

“The HPG-7 does not have enough manpower to monitor all those vehicles on the road illegally using sirens or blinkers,” Parilla said.