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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP orders probe into viral EDSA Busway confrontation, at least 3 HPG men identified

PNP orders probe into viral EDSA Busway confrontation, at least 3 HPG men identified

Published Feb 10, 2025 03:36 am

The Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered on Monday, Feb. 10, a thorough investigation into the viral video of operatives of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) confronting an enforcer of the EDSA Bus Carousel after the police convoy illegally entered into the busway intended mainly for passenger buses.

In a statement released on Monday, the PNP-HPG also clarified that both PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and HPG director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta had no involvement whatsoever in the incident amid speculations as to the identity of the police official being escorted then by the police motorcycle riders.

“The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group laments the recent incident involving a convoy led by two HPG riders utilizing the busway along EDSA, which has attracted significant attention on social media,” the statement read.

“It is imperative to clarify that the name of PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has been unjustly associated with this matter,” it added.

In an interview at Camp Crame in Quezon City, HPG spokesperson Lt. Dhame Malang also assured the public that it was not Matta since the official prefers to use his own car for engagement with no HPG escorts.

What happened?

In a report from the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT), it stated that the incident happened at around 7:45 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, along the Ortigas Northbound Flyover, EDSA Busway.

The SAICT enforcers flagged down the two vehicles and the two police escorts riding in two HPG motorcycles and issued a ticket for violating the rule on the use of EDSA Busway.

During the issuance of the ticket, the report said a police officer “reacted aggressively and verbally confronted” the SAICT enforcer and even accused the enforcers as the people who are the main cause of the traffic jams along EDSA.

“Following this, an HPG officer called our attention and asked us if we knew the person inside the vehicle… We responded that we did not know the individual and reminded them again that there is an existing directive prohibiting them to use the EDSA Busway so they were flagged down and apprehended,” the SAICT report read.

No bad intention

In the HPG statement, it said the police have no intention to undermine the mandate of the DOTR-SAICT or to dictate the actions of its operatives.

It added that the suggestions on how the traffic enforcement should be done as mentioned by the police officer during the confrontation were his point of view and does not reflect the stand of the HPG.

“The PNP-HPG remains firmly committed to upholding the highest standards in the performance of its duties and responsibilities. This incident is both unfortunate and isolated, and we are implementing stringent measures to ensure that such occurrences do not happen again in the future,” the statement read.

“The PNP-HPG will not tolerate any actions that compromise the integrity of our institution or its leadership,” it added.

Investigation

Malang said Matta has already ordered a thorough investigation into the incident in order to shed light on what really happened.

So far, he said at least three HPG personnel are under investigation.

And included in the investigation, according to Malang, was the reported deployment of at least two policemen who allegedly asked the DOTr-SAICT personnel to stop their operation along EDSA Busway.

Related Tags

pnp-hpg EDSA Busway
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