PNP verifying alleged memo on plan to overshadow EDSA busway issue

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday it is verifying an alleged memorandum on its supposed strategies to overshadow the recent EDSA busway incident involving a convoy of senior officials.

“We are aware of reports circulating regarding an alleged leaked memorandum and are currently conducting an internal verification process to determine its authenticity and context,” the PNP Public Information Office said in a statement.

“The PNP does not condone any attempts to manipulate public perception or divert attention from matters of public concern,” it added.

According to the PNP, the police organization upholds the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and integrity in all its operations and communications. 

The PNP added that it remains committed to accountability and due process in addressing any violations involving its personnel.

Furthermore, the PNP will continue to engage with the public in a transparent and responsible manner. We urge the public to rely on verified sources of information to avoid misinformation and speculation,” the PNP said.

“The PNP remains steadfast in its mission to serve and protect the Filipino people with integrity, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law,” it added.

PNP’s Directorate for Police Community Relations allegedly issued the memorandum dated February 26 with subject “StratCom Snapshot re: Alleged PNP Violation in EDSA Bus Lane.”

Based on the alleged memo, proposed strategies and message packages have been prepared “to contain the said issue.”

Among the supposed strategies include the following:

• Only the [National Headquarters]-PIO shall be allowed to comment on the issue. All other PNP units/offices shall refrain from releasing statements related to the issue
• [Police Community Affairs and Development Group] shall mobilize its resources to overshadow the issue, redirect public attention, and mitigate any further negative impact for the [Chief PNP] and the organization
• [Police Regional Offices] shall amplify their respective operational accomplishments to further overshadow the issue

On Tuesday, a convoy allegedly of PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil was caught using the EDSA busway along Ortigas.

Marbil on Wednesday said senior police officials had an emergency closed door meeting at Camp Crame prompting the use of the EDSA busway.

"Kahapon kasi there [was] an emergency and there [was] an issue that we have to resolve, kaya the SILG will announce 'yung accomplishment kagabi. Kailangan 'yung presensiya ng pulis namin na higher ups kasi nga nag-closed door meeting and something happened sa operation last night," he said.

(There was an emergency and an issue that we had to resolve yesterday, so the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government will announce the accomplishment last night. We need the presence of our police higher ups because we had a closed door meeting and something happened during the operation last night.)

Marbil refused to confirm if the said convoy was his due to security concerns because the plate numbers of the vehicles were shared to the public.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo defended the convoy's use of the EDSA busway saying law enforcement is allowed access during emergency cases.

“Meron naman po doon sa guidelines na kapag ang mga PNP officers ay urgent and emergency in nature ay pupuwede naman pong dumaan po,” she told reporters

(There is a provision in the guidelines that when PNP officers are in urgent situation and emergency in nature, they can use the EDSA busway.)

“Pero hindi na po nakipagtalo itong convoy at nakiusap na lang po na hayaan muna pong maihatid yung ating officer po sa Camp Crame. At bumalik po sila para kunin ang ticket intended po sa kanilang supposed violation,” she added.

(But the convoy did not argue and appealed to be allowed to bring our officer to Camp Crame first. They returned to receive the traffic citation for their supposed violation.)

The EDSA busway, a dedicated bus lane, serves commuters from Caloocan City up to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Parañaque City.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) clarified that the following vehicles are authorized to use the busway:

• LTFRB-authorized buses for the EDSA busway route, including buses with special permits and/or franchises to operate on the EDSA busway route
• On-duty ambulances
• Fire trucks
• Philippine National Police vehicles
• Service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA Busway Project, including but not limited to construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services within the EDSA Busway
• The following top officials: President of the Philippines, Vice President of the Philippines, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.— RF, GMA Integrated News