Cop who drove PNP van in EDSA busway relieved for violation

The policeman assigned to drive a Philippine National Police van who was unauthorized to use the EDSA busway has been relieved, according to PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo on Thursday.

In a press briefing, Fajardo said the driver of the van was designated at the Police Region Office 10 (PRO 10).

“Nakausap ko mismo yung Regional Director ng PRO 10, ni-relieved na po niya itong authorized driver po at haharap po siya administrative case for failure to follow specific instruction na bawal na po dumaan kahit na anong marked vehicles dyan sa EDSA busway,” Fajardo said.

(I personally spoke with the PRO 10 Regional Director, he has relieved this authorized driver and he will face an administrative case for failure to follow specific instructions that no marked vehicles are allowed to pass through the EDSA busway.)

The PNP vehicle reportedly evaded apprehension by traffic enforcers.

According to Fajardo, the PNP is still checking if the authorized driver was the one driving the PNP van and if more policemen were inside the vehicle during the incident.

Fajardo said the concerned cop should comply with the show cause order issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in connection with the incident.

Only 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, and PNP 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 President of the Philippines, Vice President of the Philippines, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 

According to the MMDA, the fines for the illegal use of EDSA busway for both public and private vehicles are:

• First offense – P5,000
• Second offense – P10,000 plus one month suspension of driver’s license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar
• Third offense – P20,000 plus one year suspension of driver’s license
• Fourth offense – P30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license

—RF, GMA Integrated News