Tolentino’s MMDA escorts arrested for using PNP insignia

Authorities arrested two escorts of Senator Francis Tolentino due to the unauthorized use of Philippine National Police (PNP) insignia on their Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) motorcycles.

In Jun Veneracion’s 24 Oras report on Wednesday, the two MMDA escorts were riding blinker-equipped motorcycles when the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) encountered their vehicle convoy in Parañaque City.

“Sir, sabi namin naka escort kami kay senator. Tumabi naman kami at naki ano sa kanila ng maayos,” one of the escorts said.

(Sir, we identified ourselves as escorts of the senator. We stopped our motorcycles and informed them in a proper manner.)

The HPG clarified Tolentino had no traffic violation and was authorized to have escorts.

“Nagbukas si Senator Tolentino at tinanong ako kung pwede na silang umalis sabi ko, ‘Yes, sir kasi motor lang naman ano namin dahil police markings.’ Authorized naman sya magkaroon ng escort,” HPG- National Capital Region head Police Colonel Neil Francia said.

(Senator Tolentino asked us if he can go and we said yes since our only concern was with the motorcycles because they had police markings.)

The two MMDA escorts were brought to HPG headquarters in Camp Crame.

Even though the HPG said the MMDA riders were authorized motorcycle escorts, the unauthorized use of PNP insignia constitute usurpation of authority and illegal use of insignia.

One of the escorts said he did not place the PNP stickers on his vehicle as the MMDA just assigned him to use the motorcycle.

“Kinuha ko po ang motor as-is kung ano itsura ng motor. Maraming dinaanan na yang motor na yan,” the MMDA escort said.

(I was issued the motorcycle as-is. Many others have used that motorcycle.)

“Haharapin na lang namin, sir kung ano yung hindi naman kami gumawa ng masama. Nagtatrabaho lang ho kami,” he added.

(We will just face the charges. We did not do anything wrong. We were only doing our job.)

One of the MMDA men said he has been Tolentino’s escort since the senator was the MMDA chairman.

Tolentino was the MMDA chairman from 2010 to 2015.

Tolentino: I had nothing to do with PNP emblems

The senator, meanwhile, apologized for the incident and said the use of PNP stickers and its sources should be investigated.

Tolentino added that his office has nothing to do with the use of the PNP insignia and that he ordered the MMDA to remove the stickers.

PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbilhas has directed the HPG  to intensify the campaign against the use of unauthorized provision of motorcycle escort.

Authorities are also studying the formation of a special team composed of PNP, MMDA and Department of Transportation personnel to focus on the problem of the unauthorized use of marked vehicles and the use of motorcycle escorts to get away with traffic.

“‘Dyan ka lang pumunta sa EDSA marami kayong makikita na nag-e-escort na akala natin Highway Patrol na ang gagara ng sasakyan na hinahahatak, so yun po ang magiging concentration po ng operation po,” PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo.

(On EDSA, you’ll see escorts similar to highway patrols escorting lavish cars, so we are concentrating our operation towards that.)

The MMDA said it is working with the HPG on the issue and will conduct its own investigation.

For his part, Tolentino on Thursday said his office does not control the markings on his escorts’ vehicles, helmets or accessories. 

In a statement, Tolentino said the recent incident involving two temporary MMDA motorcycle riders apprehended for having allegedly used commercially available PNP stickers attached to their vehicles is an internal MMDA matter.

“The apprehended motorcycles are property of the MMDA. This is an internal MMDA matter,” Tolentino said. 

 He said the matter should be investigated, including the source of their decals.

“No violation of existing laws relative to insignias was committed as the stickers were not attached to their uniforms. I want to assure the public that I supported the authorities involved in the investigation conducted,” Tolentino said.

The solon said he was informed the MMDA personnel were already released from detention for lack of sufficient evidence by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“According to the PNP-HPG director, the motorcycle riders were duly authorized. I have asked the MMDA to immediately remove all stickers whether decorative or even international decals and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations moving forward,” he stated.

“My sincerest apologies to the public who I always strive to serve with integrity and transparency, and those concerned agencies affected,” the senator added. —Mariel Celine Serquina and Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News