PNP to create special team to prevent moonlighting activities of cops

FILE PHOTO: PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo answers questions from reporters after a media briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, in this file photo taken on April 25, 2023. INQUIRER.net /Faith Argosino

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing the formation of a special team solely dedicated to preventing the unauthorized use of marked vehicles and tracking down its personnel engaging in moonlighting activities.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo announced the possible formation of the team, which would consist of officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), its Highway Patrol Group (HPG), and Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG).

READ: HPG nabs Tolentino’s 2 MMDA escorts over illegal use of police badge

Fajardo further said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil had already met with the agencies.

“The IMEG and HPG will run after those who use marked vehicles and are just pretending to be police. We also aim to catch police personnel engaging in moonlighting rackets with the help of IMEG, DOTr, and MMDA. That will be the job of our special team,” the PNP official said in a press briefing.

She added that the team will first operate within Metro Manila.

“Hopefully, by next week. We are just finalizing the guidelines, and our directorate for operations will release guidelines on who among our units will be included in the team aside from IMEG and HPG,” Fajardo said.

The police organization’s move came after several reports revealed that some of its personnel and officers offered services on top of their assigned duties.

Earlier, HPG revealed the arrest of two MMDA personnel who were part of Senator Francis Tolentino’s convoy in Parañaque City on Wednesday evening for their unauthorized use of the police badge.

Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Director Col. Neil Francia said the two escorts were assigned to the MMDA’s traffic aide unit and allowed to provide security to the senator.

However, the HPG official said the motorcycles of the two MMDA staff were caught “publicly and improperly using the insignia ‘POLICE’ and ‘Master Rider’s Badge.'”

Last May 28, HPG chief Brigadier General Jay Cumigad announced the apprehension of his unit’s operative and an alleged soldier for serving as motorcycle escorts to a private luxury vehicle.