Amid the traffic altercation involving United States Embassy staff who was issued a ticket by traffic enforcers for passing through the ESDA busway, the embassy asked all of its staff to obey Philippine traffic laws.
 

EDSA Busway (Photo by John Louie Abrina/MANILA BULLETIN)

“The US Embassy is aware of reports of a traffic incident regarding a member of the embassy community,” a statement from US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay read.
 

“The US Embassy instructs all staff to obey Philippine laws, including traffic regulations,” it added.
 

A video footage from the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) showed a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with diplomatic plates from the US Embassy passing the busway along Ortigas Avenue on Friday morning, Feb. 7.
 

When the American driver failed to present a valid license and instead showed a passport, another American from the vehicle challenged the photo-taking of the passport, saying that it was illegal.
 

The American asked the traffic officer to speak to a high-ranking police officer on phone so they can allegedly resolve the issue without escalating it to the embassy.
 

The driver received a ticket for the violation despite the tension.
 

Only the convoys of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice are allowed to use the EDSA Busway. On-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars are also allowed.