Marbil cites ‘emergency’ after PNP convoy used EDSA busway

Philippine National Police (PNP) Police General Rommel Marbil said Wednesday the senior police officials had an emergency closed door meeting at Camp Crame Tuesday evening prompting the use of EDSA busway.

In an interview with Dobol B TV, Marbil said Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla will make an announcement on the police operation conducted last night.

"Kahapon kasi there [was] an emergency and there [was] an issue that we have to resolve, kaya the SILG will announce 'yung accomplishment kagabi. Kailangan 'yung presensiya ng pulis namin na higher ups kasi nga nag-closed door meeting and something happened sa operation last night," he said.

(There was an emergency and an issue that we had to resolve yesterday, so the SILG will announce the accomplishment last night. We need the presence of our police higher ups because we had a closed door meeting and something happened during the operation last night.)

Marbil refused to confirm if the involved convoy was his due to security concerns because the plate numbers of the vehicles were shared to the public.

“Ang masasabi ko wala na po kaming ano because ang plate number po nilabas (We cannot tell because the plate number was publicized),” he said.

He, however, said they respect the members of the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) who flagged the convoy.

"Ang sinasabi ko nga sa PNP natin, itong SAICT they are just doing their job, we have to respect them. Ang pulis po natin ipinagbabawal na gumamit ng bus lane. In case of emergency, just follow them, get the ticket, huwag nang mag-argue then explain na lang bakit natin ginamit. Lahat kami we are just doing our job," Marbil added.

Earlier in the day, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo defended the convoy that used the EDSA busway saying they are allowed in emergency cases.

“Meron naman po doon sa guidelines na kapag ang mga PNP officers ay urgent and emergency in nature ay pupuwede naman pong dumaan po,” she told reporters

(There is a provision in the guidelines that when PNP officers are in urgent situation and emergency in nature, they can use the EDSA busway.)

“Pero hindi na po nakipagtalo itong convoy at nakiusap na lang po na hayaan muna pong maihatid yung ating officer po sa Camp Crame. At bumalik po sila para kunin ang ticket intended po sa kanilang supposed violation,” she added. 

(But the convoy didn't argue anymore and just appealed to let our officer be taken to Camp Crame first. And they came back to get the ticket intended for their supposed violation.)

Fajardo said the convoy used the EDSA busway because a police official on board had a close door meeting at Camp Crame where the attendance of the officer was urgently needed. 

As the plate numbers of the involved vehicles were publicized in videos online, Fajardo refused to reveal the names of the “senior officers” on board due to security reason. 

“For security reason po, hindi na po natin idi-divulge ang identities po ng laman po ng convoy. What we can confirm po ay these senior officers holding sensitive positions po,” she said. 

(For security reasons, we will not divulge the identities of those in the convoy. What we can confirm is these senior officers are holding sensitive positions.)

“Considering po na nailabas na yung mga video including yung plakang sasakyan ay kailangan din po nating proteksyunan yung kanilang security,” she added.

(Considering that the videos including the license plate of the vehicle have been released, we also need to protect their security.)

A convoy allegedly of Marbil was caught using the EDSA busway along Ortigas on Tuesday.

A report on “24 Oras” showed that the DOTr-SAICT was conversing with the police, who is a member of the convoy.

In the video exclusively acquired by GMA Integrated News, the police was heard requesting to let the convoy pass through since Marbil allegedly has an emergency and is going to Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The EDSA busway, a dedicated bus lane, serves commuters from Caloocan City up to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Parañaque City.

The DOTr clarified before that 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 Philippine National Police 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; and
• the following top officials: President of the Philippines, Vice President of the Philippines, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

—AOL, GMA Integrated News