PNP: Name-dropping woman caught in EDSA Busway could face charges

The woman who was apprehended for using the EDSA Busway could face charges for claiming to be part of the military and the niece of a major general, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

In a press conference on Monday, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said they are still waiting for a complaint from the authorities who flagged the driver down.

“Kailangan po natin silang makuhanan ng affidavit para makasuhan po natin siya ng usurpation of authority for identifying herself as a certain Major Miguel,” she said.

(We need to get their affidavit so we can charge her with usurpation of authority for identifying herself as a certain Major Miguel.)

“As to her attempt to implicate a senior officer from the PNP, pinag-aaralan po ni Major General Mario Reyes possible filing ng charges against this particular person using a name under Major General Mario Reyes,” she added.

(As to her attempt to implicate a senior officer from the PNP, Major General Mario Reyes is considering the filing of charges against this particular person using his name.)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the woman is not a member of the military organization.

“We take allegations of misconduct and misrepresentation seriously within our ranks,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said.

“Whether or not she is a member of the military, she should be accountable for the violations she committed,” she added.

Reyes lamented that the driver mentioned his name when she was caught for the traffic violation.

“I want to make it clear that this person who introduced herself as Major Miguel of the AFP is not a relative by blood nor by affinity. I never met her in any capacity,” he said.

“I am now talking with my lawyers for the filing of appropriate charges against the namedropper ‘Major Miguel’,” he said.

The driver was flagged down on Thursday night at the Guadalupe carousel station.

“Pamangkin ako ni major general... so huwag mo akong a-anuhin. I'm military. I'm Filipino-American. I’m taking care of Balikatan, tama na ‘yan” the woman claimed.

(I'm the niece of major general... so don't apprehend me. I'm part of the military. I'm Filipino-American, I'm taking care of Balikatan. Enough of that.)—RF, GMA Integrated News