Police official mulls suing person who name-dropped him at Edsa busway

This file photo shows the segregated portion of the Edsa Bus Carousel lane or Edsa busway. (File photo from PDI / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — A police official, whose name was used by a woman caught illegally traversing the Edsa Bus Carousel lane or Edsa busway, is planning to file a criminal case against the arrested person, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a statement PNP released on Sunday, Police Brig. Gen. Mario Reyes said the woman, who introduced herself as a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is not related to him “by blood or affinity.”

“I strongly condemn the act of name dropping me in a recent incident regarding a traffic violation of the EDSA bus lane policy,” Reyes noted.

“I want to make it clear that this person who introduced herself as Major Miguel of the AFP is not a relative by blood or by affinity. I never met her in any capacity,” he added.

“I also urge concerned agencies to conduct a show cause order and thorough investigation to, perhaps, file usurpation of authority to that person. I am now talking with my lawyers about filing appropriate charges against the name dropper Major Miguel,” he added.

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He also appealed to the public to respect the PNP and the AFP, and that any attempt to exploit the name or reputation of law enforcement officers is “utterly unacceptable and undermines the integrity of the organization.”

“I appeal to the public to refrain from participating in such deceptive practices and to respect the authority of law enforcement officers,” Reyes said.

The Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation said its operatives stopped the woman in Guadalupe, Makati City at a section of the bus lane last Thursday.

They said she was driving too fast from Ortigas in Pasig City.

The woman introduced herself as an AFP member, but its spokesperson, Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, said that their institution does not condone the woman’s behavior.

“The AFP as a professional organization does not condone nor tolerate any behavior that undermines the integrity of our institution or violates the law. We take allegations of misconduct and misrepresentation seriously within our ranks,” Padilla said.