PNP warns vs. unauthorized use of ‘wang-wang’

Motorists illegally using emergency devices such as blinkers and sirens or “wang-wang” will face sanctions, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

In Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras," the PNP warned that those who will be caught using the devices without authorization will be penalized.  The driver's license will also be confiscated.

“They will be issued corresponding tickets. The license will be confiscated and they will be penalized and there is a corresponding penalty fee,” Police Major General Val de Leon, PNP Director for Operations, said. “Maliban dito, makukumpiska rin ‘yung mga wang-wang at mga sirens nila na hindi naman sila authorized.”

(Apart from this, we will confiscate their sirens because they are unauthorized to use them.)

Senator JV Ejercito earlier urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to revive the campaign against the illegal use of “wang-wang” and similar equipment after he had observed a rise in private vehicles utilizing it.

“Napakarami, napansin ko pati local official at ibang mga, ewan ko lang kung cabinet secretaries ‘yung iba. Hindi ko alam pero marami ring private citizen,” said Ejercito.

(I observed a lot has been using it including local officials and others I am not sure but maybe, Cabinet secretaries.)

“Dapat ibalik na lang natin sa dati kung sino lang ang entitled…saka sa totoo lang, nakakagulo lalo ng traffic daw ‘yan,” he said.

(We should revert it to the old way where only those authorized may use it… because honestly, that will worsen the traffic.)

“It’s a matter of implementation at saka syempre ‘pag ‘yan po ay ‘pag Presidente  mismo, halimbawa si PBBM, kaya nga sinabi ko sana ibalik ni PBBM ‘yun dahil nagawa noong panahon ni PNoy ‘yan ‘no,” he added.

(It’s a matter of implementation and of course if the President will make the statement, for example PBBM, that’s why I hoped he will revive it because it was done under the PNoy administration.)

Under Presidential Decree No. 96 issued by late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., motorists are prohibited from using emergency devices including blinkers and dome lights.

Only those who are allowed to use it are ambulances, fire trucks, and personnel of the PNP, military, National Bureau of Investigation, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board during emergency situations.

Also allowed to use are the country’s top five officials including the president, vice-president, senate president, House speaker, and chief justice.

Other regulations covering the use of the devices are Republic Act (RA) 4316, MMDA Regulation No. 03-005, and the LTO-LTFRB Joint Administrative Order released in 2014.

GMA News sought the reaction of Marcos' camp but has yet to respond as of posting.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News