Responding to the observation of Senate President Vicente Sotto, acting national police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. has ordered a review of the security protocol involving the movement of VIPs on the roads.

Nartatez said his instruction to the units concerned, especially the Highway Patrol Group HPG) and the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) is to come up with the guideline ensuring that escort duties are carried out without causing intimidation, unnecessary pressure, or inconvenience to motorists.

“Our goal is to ensure that our police personnel will still adhere to road courtesy protocols and that motorists are treated with respect,” said Nartatez.

Last week, Sotto called on the PNP leadership to regularly train and remind PSPG escorts to be respectful and polite toward motorists during VIP (Ver Important Person) movements.

In the Senate’s deliberation on the 2026 budgets of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), Sotto complained that police escorts often aggressively drive motorists aside and repeatedly use sirens, something he says even he experiences despite having a protocol plate.

He stressed that if this happens to him, ordinary motorists suffer even more, leading to frustration and unfair treatment on the road.

With the order for review, Nartatez said he wants to come up with established guidelines that prioritize safety and courtesy.

At present, there are nine officials allowed to have police escorts including the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, Supreme Court Chief Justice, and other Cabinet secretaries who have sensitive positions.

“While the safety of those the police are assigned to secure is a top priority, this should be done in a manner that will not cause inconvenience to motorists and compromise safety of all road users,” he said.

Nartatez said the PSPG was directed to review reports involving alleged incidents where police escorts were seen aggressively clearing motorists.

He also directed a nationwide refresher briefing for all escort units to revisit rules on the proper use of sirens and blinkers, limits of authority when clearing traffic, and expected conduct during VIP movements.