Alleged driver of US Embassy vehicle issued ticket for using EDSA busway

The driver of an SUV with diplomatic plates of the US Embassy was issued a ticket by traffic enforcers for passing through the EDSA Busway along Ortigas Avenue on Friday morning.

The Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) said the American driver failed to present a valid license and showed his passport instead.

In the video posted by the DOTr-SAICT, another American, the passenger, told the enforcers to delete the photo of his colleague’s passport after he claimed that it was illegal.

He also told the apprehending officer to speak to a high-ranking police officer to resolve the issue.

“Sir, we gonna have to report this to the US Embassy, if we can handle it through the PNP that’s okay,” the American can be heard saying.

“If we have to report it to the US Embassy, we’re gonna make an official diplomatic…that he is threatening to steal US diplomatic material…I don’t wanna to do that,” he added. “I would like to handle this through PNP, we’re going to Camp Crame…If we can just finish this, so this stays low, that will be much better.”

The DOTr-SAICT, in a social media post, said, "The situation heated up when another American from the vehicle challenged the photo-taking of the passport, claiming it was illegal, and demanded the image be deleted. He also asked that the apprehending officer speak to a high-ranking police officer to resolve the issue before it escalated to embassy level."

"Despite the tension, the driver received a ticket."

The US Embassy confirmed that the Americans involved in the incident are members of the embassy community. 

“The U.S. Embassy instructs all staff to obey Philippine laws, including traffic regulations,” the statement read. 

The convoys of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice are allowed to use the EDSA Busway, including on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars.

Data from the DOTr-SAICT showed that 518 vehicles were fined and penalized for using the EDSA Busway in 2024, which resulted in collection of P189 million in fines.

In January 2025 alone, P7 million in fines were collected from motorists who were caught illegally passing inside the EDSA busway. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News