PNP probes police officers in Zamora’s convoy into Baguio for ‘breach of protocol’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is already investigating the police officers in the convoy of San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora that breached protocols in entering Baguio City.

“As of now, ang ating PNP ay already investigating ‘yung officers na kasama dyan during that time as to possible breach of protocol dito sa pagdaan without stopping sa checkpoints,” Police Col. Allen Rae Co, Baguio City Police chief, said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo on Monday.

(As of now, the PNP is already investigating the officers involved during that time for possible breach of protocols when they passed through without stopping at checkpoints.)

Co also defended how the Baguio City police handled the convoy when it was passing through the checkpoint, saying they should not resort to using force in flagging down the vehicles.

“For those people who are asking, ‘Pwede pala kayong lagpas-lagpasan?’ Unang-una, marked vehicle po ito. We have identified na kasamahan naming pulis ito, hindi po pagbaril o anumang violent action ang commensurate na action sa ganito pong sabihin na natin na violation,” he explained.

(For people who are asking if the checkpoint can be disregarded like that, first of all, it was a marked vehicle. We have identified that they are also police officers. Opening fire or engaging in any violent action is not the commensurate action in this kind of violation.)

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Co said it will be up to the Department of the Interior and Local Government to investigate Zamora since the PNP only has jurisdiction over its own personnel.

He said it is not true that those who want to enter the city can do so as long as they have police escorts.

“Wala pa pong turista. Non-residents ay turista ay hindi pa po pwede. Siguro you need to ask them kung ano po ang purpose ni mayor dito pero definitely wala pa pong turista [na allowed],” he added.

(There are no tourists allowed yet. Non-residents are tourists and are not allowed to enter the city yet. Maybe you need to ask about the purpose of the mayor in going to the city, but tourists are still not allowed.)

Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat earlier said Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong plans to reopen the country’s summer capital to tourists in September despite the city being under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

The breach of protocol happened when Zamora’s convoy consisting of six vehicles arrived at a quarantine checkpoint along Kennon Road on Friday.

“When his group was flagged down for inspection, the driver of the lead vehicle just slowed down a bit and merely told the checkpoint personnel that he was part of a convoy, pointing out the vehicles tailing his police car, then forthwith sped off with the Mayor’s entourage in tow,” Magalong said in a statement on Sunday.

Checkpoint personnel then informed the traffic police of the city, which followed Zamora’s entourage to the Baguio Country Club.

Upon arrival, Zamora’s group was asked to present the required medical clearances but failed to present any. The group was then asked to undergo a triage examination, according to Magalong.

He said Zamora had already apologized for the incident.

“He profusely expressed deep regrets that while asleep in his car at the time, the PNP escort leading his convoy mindlessly took it on his own to ignore what has long been a standard border protection measure prescribed not only in his but our own city,” he said.