A video of police acting as escorts for vehicles with unknown passengers along EDSA has drawn the ire of several Filipinos.
TV host and news presenter Shawn Yao shared a video showing police escorts using lights and sirens to announce their presence on the road.
The police were seen escorting two large white vans and a gray sedan along EDSA, particularly in the Ortigas area.
“Pardon my French. There’s no traffic, so what’s the point of all the near-side swiping and noise?!” Yao wrote on Tuesday, April 28.
Her post has garnered 233,000 views, 1,400 likes and 45 comments, with some users expressing anger over the incident.
“I recall almost crashing into one of those guys, who wasn’t even in uniform, and even had the gall to ask why I wasn’t letting them through,” an online user commented.
“Nakakabuwisit nga ‘yan. Minsan pa ‘yan, pa-side to side magmaneho para ‘di mo sila dikitan. Akala mo may invisible slalom. Kakairita,” another said.
“White plates, no government markings. Illegal convoy, report it,” a different X user said.
“I’ve experienced this while papauwi na ako. One HPG [Highway Patrol Group] is trying to block me from the left side para makadaan ang convoy ng kung sino man hudas and, take note, walang traffic that time,” another Pinoy wrote.
“I did not budge kasi naman, ilang metro na lang at kakaliwa na ako papasok ng village,” the X user added.
Police have previously acknowledged providing motorcycle escorts for VIPs in transit, saying these are reserved for the President, Vice President, Senate President and House Speaker.
Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. also said that if there is a need for motorcycle escorts, the police will provide them.
“We have certain rules, especially in the utilization of Highway Patrol or police motorcycle escorts, including security escorts in front of and behind vehicles. We also have rules and procedures for the usage of sirens and blinkers, so there’s that,” previously said.
Nartatez also said that the PNP Highway Patrol Group coordinates with the Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and traffic enforcers regarding VIP convoys.
Meanwhile, Police Lt. Nadame Malang, spokesperson of the PNP HPG, previously said that the HPG is the only unit within the PNP authorized to conduct VIP escorts.
