PNP-HPG eyes cyber libel complaint over viral 'escort-for-hire service'

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) is eyeing to file a cyber libel complaint against the individual behind the viral post where a civilian car was allegedly being escorted by a police officer to avoid traffic.

In a media briefing, PNP Spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the PNP-HPG reached out to the individual and was initially in talks with her.

“Pero nung mga sumunod ay may mga reasons na siya na busy siya, marami siyang engagement. So until today ay hindi na po nila nakakausap. So ang intensyon po ng Highway Patrol ay magsampa po ng kaso,” Fajardo said.

(But she has since made many reasons that she was busy, that she had many engagements. So until today, they have not talked with her again. So the intention of the Highway Patrol is to file a complaint.)

“For violation of our cyber laws po,” she added.

Fajardo said the HPG’s name “was dragged because of this malicious post.”

A female social media user earlier drew flak after she claimed that her husband hired the services of the PNP-HPG so she can easily get out of traffic on her way to her destination.

According to Fajardo, the PNP-HPG is denying that the said officer in the post may not be their personnel.

She said tthe HPG has a new uniform with serial numbers, which was missing from the vest worn by the officer in the social media post.

Fajardo added the motorcycle also did not have markings.

“So dalawa po ‘yung tinitignan nila na possibility. Na nagpanggap po ito na nag suot lamang po ng vest ng Highway Patrol,” Fajardo said.

(So they are looking at two possibilities. One, the person was pretending by by wearing a Highway Patrol vest.)

Rent scheme

Meanwhile, Fajardo said that a police officer and two others are facing complaints for violation of New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 and violation of the Revised Penal Code before Pasay prosecutors for alleged involvement in a scheme involving the renting of vehicles.

She said they are currently detained pending the resolution.

“Bailable po kasi ito so they have the right to post bail,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo said a vehicle owner rented out her vehicle for two days for P2,500 per day, but it was never returned. In the succeeding days, the car was found for sale on social media for P350,000. 

The owner then pretended to be interested in buying the vehicle and was supposed to meet up with the rentee in Pasay City.

The rentee was accompanied by a police officer and another individual.

“Kasama po during that time ito nga pong si, ‘yung isang police natin, si Lieutenant Colonel Ines po at isa pa pong lalaki. At yung mismong nag pa-renta ay na positively identify po niya itong mga indibidwal na ito,” she added.

(Our police was with her at that time, a Lieutenant Colonel Ines, and another man. And the renter positively identified them.)

Fajardo said the police officer was also involved in a carnapping and estafa case in Pasig City in February, but the charges against him were dismissed because of the non-appearance of the complainant.

She said the complainant has expressed their interest to continue the complaint against the suspects.—RF, GMA Integrated News