2 Manila cops in viral blocking incident relieved from posts

Two police officers from the Ermita Police Station 5 have been relieved from their posts amid the probe of a viral video that showed their patrol car allegedly blocking another motorist on Taft Avenue in Manila.

“They were already relieved from their posts and submitted their written explanation and initiated appropriate administrative review to determine the full circumstances surrounding this matter,” Ermita Police Station 5 commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Alfonso Saligumba III said in a press briefing on Thursday.

“Na-interview natin yung ating police personnel and they are claiming na nagkaroon ng trouble yung kanilang patrol vehicle,” he added.

(We interviewed our police personnel and they are claiming that their patrol vehicle had engine trouble.)

Saligumba said the incident happened on the afternoon of February 18 during a regular patrol and the concerned patrol vehicle is currently undergoing repair.

Authorities have requested more CCTV footage to clarify events leading up to the incident.

Saligumba said they have yet to speak with the individual who recorded the viral video.

The two officers, who have no prior administrative cases on record, may face charges for serious neglect of duty depending on the investigation’s outcome, the station commander said.

In a separate statement, the Manila Police District (MPD) said the concerned patrol vehicle is assigned to the J. Bocobo Police Community Precinct.

The MPD directed the concerned officers to submit written explanations and initiated an administrative review to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to the MPD, the Philippine National Police (PNP) does not tolerate any violation of laws, policies, or established operational procedures.

“Should any violation be established after a thorough investigation, the personnel involved shall be held accountable,” the MPD said.

LTO summons

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) against the PNP, as the registered owner, and the driver of the mobile patrol vehicle.

A Facebook video showed the mobile patrol vehicle suddenly cutting in front of another car. The police car remained stationary even when the traffic light was green, blocking traffic.

The mobile patrol vehicle only moved when the traffic signal turned red.

The SCO compelled the registered owner and driver to report to the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) in Quezon City on February 24, 3 p.m.

They should submit a verified explanation on why they should not be charged with reckless driving, obstruction of traffic, or face the suspension or revocation of his driver’s license for being deemed an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

The driver’s license of the person behind the wheel of the mobile patrol vehicle was temporarily suspended for 90 days and must be surrendered before the scheduled hearing, the LTO said.

The mobile patrol vehicle has also been placed under alarm status to prevent any transactions while the investigation is ongoing.

Failure to appear or submit a comment by the prescribed date will be considered a waiver of their right to be heard, the LTO added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News