NAPOLCOM probes viral EDSA busway incident, cop driver apologizes

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) ordered an immediate investigation into a viral traffic incident along the EDSA busway involving a passenger bus and Philippine National Police coaster bus.

In a press conference on Monday, NAPOLCOM Commissioner Ralph Calinisan said the Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service (IMIS) has been directed to conduct a motu proprio probe into the incident.

“We have to win the hearts and minds of Filipinos every single day… We will do our job, no matter how difficult it is, to protect the integrity of the police service and the trust of the people,” Calinisan said.

“We should trust our policemen, but this is not an example of who we should trust… This incident is not reflective of the whole PNP. This is something we are correcting,” he added.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Jenifer Bredico, who was driving the police-marked vehicle under the Libreng Sakay program, apologized for the incident.

“Humihingi po ako ng taos-pusong pasensya sa nagawa kong kamalian lalong-lalo na sa driver ng bus. Inaamin kong mali ang pagka-swerving ng sasakyan,” Bredico said.

(I apologize for my mistake, especially to the bus driver. I admit that I was wrong.)

The incident involved a collision between the police vehicle and a passenger bus, resulting in minor damage.

The bus driver accepted the apology. However, Calinisan said the Napolcom will proceed with its probe and cases will be filed against the police personnel. 

Calinisan said the situation escalated unnecessarily, citing the police officer’s alleged failure to apologize, refusal to de-escalate, erratic lane movements, and demand for payment for damages.

NAPOLCOM is also looking into another police officer who allegedly prepared a misleading progress report.

Calinisan ordered the issuance of a show-cause order against the police officer for allegedly writing a “bogus” report indicating that both drivers reached an amicable settlement and agreed to settle the damages on their vehicles.

The bus driver denied that there was a settlement. —Joviland Rita and Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA News