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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'I'm a military!' Lady driver uses AFP connection to evade traffic violation ticket

'I'm a military!' Lady driver uses AFP connection to evade traffic violation ticket

Published Apr 12, 2024 07:10 am
Screenshot_2024-04-12-14-55-54-77_a23b203fd3aafc6dcb84e438dda678b6.jpg
A woman who claims affiliation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) renders a salute after she was flagged by personnel of the Department of Transportation's Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) for using the Carousel Bus Lane in Makati City on April 11, 2024. (Screenshot courtesy of DOTr-SAICT)

A lady driver who was flagged down for illegally using the Carousel Bus Lane in Makati City on Thursday night, April 11, has evaded getting cited for traffic violation after she used her alleged connection to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The unidentified driver was onboard a black Toyota Fortuner SUV when she was apprehended around 6:35 p.m. at the south bound lane of Guadalupe Carousel Station by personnel of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG).

The SAICT said the driver was estimated to be between 40 and 43 years old. She was reported to the Metrobase for speeding in the exclusive bus lane while heading towards Guadalupe from Ortigas, it added.

A 4:06-minute long video of the incident was posted by the SAICT on Facebook.

In the video, the apprehending personnel was heard asking for the driver’s license of the lady driver, but the woman behind the wheels responded that she's a niece of a general: "So ‘wag mo akong aanuhin. I’m a military. I’m from Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

The driver claimed to be connected with the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP). She said she was also involved in the upcoming Balikatan Exercises between the AFP and United States military.

The apprehending personnel acknowledged the driver but informed her that private vehicles are not allowed to ply the Carousel Bus Lane. 

The personnel asked for the driver’s license of the erring lady driver for confiscation and citation of a violation ticket but she defied him: “Ayoko, hindi ko ibibigay. That’s why next time hindi na ako dadaan dito (No, I don’t want to give it. That’s why next time I would no longer pass through here).”

The personnel could not do anything but return the documents and identification cards of the lady driver, who appeared to have rendered a salute before she left.

The DOTr-SAICT said a show cause order was being sought from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

“The authorities are committed to ensuring that all road users adhere to traffic rules, regardless of their affiliations or status. This incident underscores the necessity for all drivers to comply with traffic regulations and cooperate with law enforcement officers,” it said.

AFP reacts

Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said the DOTr-SAICT has not yet coordinated with the proper AFP office regarding the issue to identify the violator.

Nonetheless, Padilla said that the AFP "does not condone nor tolerate any behavior that undermines the integrity of our institution or violates the law."

"We take allegations of misconduct and misrepresentation seriously within our ranks," she said.

"Whether or not she is a member of the military, she should be accountable for the violations she committed," the AFP spokesperson added.

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