Albayalde: PNP may recommend disqualification of candidates using ‘wang-wang’

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday said he may recommend the disqualification of election bets found to be consistently violating the directive against the use of sirens or “wang-wang.”

Albayalde said the PNP has received several reports of candidates using sirens in their convoys, especially during campaign rallies for the coming May midterm polls, to avoid traffic congestion in roads like Edsa.

“That’s the very reason kung bakit ni-reiterate ‘yung bawal ang paggamit ng wangwang at tsaka sirens lalong lalo na sa pangangampanya,” he told reporters, adding that some politicians even surround themselves with police escort vehicles with sirens during campaigns sorties. (That’s the very reason why we reiterated that using sirens is prohibited especially in campaigns.)

READ: PNP warns politicians vs using ‘wang-wang’ during campaign sorties

Albayalde said vehicles with sirens being used by candidates will be flagged down by authorities. If a candidate persists on using sirens despite warning, his vehicle may also be impounded.

“That’s one, confiscation [of vehicle]. Ma-i-impound ‘yung motor vehicle diyan. ‘Yung sa politiko, then probably we can recommend his disqualification sa Comelec (Commission on Elections),” he said.

(That’s one, confiscation of vehicle. The motor vehicle involved will be impounded. For the politician, we may recommend his disqualification to the Comelec.)

Under the Presidential Decree No. 96, sirens and blinkers may only be used on vehicles for official use of members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, police departments, fire departments, and hospital ambulances.

Violation of the order may be penalized with cancellation or revocation of the certificate of registration of the motor vehicle involved, the PNP said. /muf