Panelo says use of ‘wang-wang’ understandable in some occasions

MANILA, Philippines — While President Rodrigo Duterte does not use “wang-wang” or sirens, Palace Spokesman Salvador Panelo said its use is understandable on a particular occasion.

“Personally, si Presidente ayaw nya nung mga ganung wang-wang. But I can understand kung kailangan gamitin mo yung wang-wang on a particular occasion,” Panelo said Monday during a press briefing.

(Personally, the President doesn’t want to use wang-wang. But I can understand if it is needed on a particular occasion)

Panelo said this after Vice President Leni Robredo urged public officials to refrain from using “wang-wang” or sirens to warn public to make way for them on roads.

Robredo stressed that its use is an insult to the public because it seemingly implies that government officials’ affairs are more important than the commuters’.

“Sobrang insulto ‘yun, ‘yung wang-wang kasi parang sinasabi mo ‘yung mga lakad niyo hindi importante, lakad ko lang ‘yung importante,” Robredo said Sunday during her radio show.

(The use of sirens is insulting because it appears that you are saying your affairs are not important, but mine does.)

Panelo pointed out he barely sees any Cabinet official who uses sirens and added he himself does not use it.

“Sino ba nagwa-wang-wang? Ako di ako nagwa-wang-wang. Sino ba sa mga Cabinet members nagwa-wang-wang? Ginagawa lang yun pag may emergency, kung Cabinet member ang involved. Kailangan makarating ka dapat doon sa paroroonan mo. Bihirang bihira yan. Kahit ako, bihirang bihira ko makita yun,” Panelo said.

(Who uses sirens? I don’t use sirens. Who among the Cabinet members use sirens? That is only being used when a Cabinet member involved has an emergency and you need to arrive at your destination. That’s seldom. Even I see that seldomly.) /jpv