PNP-HPG firm: MMDA escorts’ ‘police’ markings a violation

PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo   (INQUIRER.net file photo/Faith Argosino)

MANILA, Philippines —  The two Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel who were apprehended for using motorcycles with police markings while escorting Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Tolentino, according to the Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP – HPG), violated the law against unauthorized use of police insignia.

“Sa pananaw po ng highway patrol, yun pong ‘police’ markings na nakalagay po doon sa motor ng dalawang MMDA … ay enough for them to be charged under improper use of police insignia,” PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

(The PNP-HPG believes that the ‘police’ markings on their motorcycles is enough for them to be charged with improper use of police insignia.)

“Pinaninindigan po ng highway patrol yung ginawa po nilang operation laban po dito sa dalawang nahuli po,” she continued.

(The PNP-HPG stands by its operation against the arrested MMDA personnel.)

While the two MMDA motorcycle escorts were released from custody, Fajardo clarified this does not mean that the evidence against them have already been deemed insufficient.

“Binibigyan din po ng pagkakataon ang highway patrol na suportahan ang kaso na isinampa sa kanila (MMDA personnel),” Fajardo said.

(The PNP-HPG is being given a chance [by prosecutors] to support the case they filed against MMDA personnel.)

The two motorcycle escorts were escorting Tolentino who was en route to a meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, according to MMDA chief Don Artes.

Artes said that the agency’s initial investigation showed that the motorcycles the personnel were using were already old and had been used by different MMDA officials, meaning that other people could have attached the “police” markings to the vehicles.

Hence, Artes ordered the removal of similar markings from all MMDA motorcycles.

Meanwhile, Fajardo clarified that she did not tackle the incident regarding the two MMDA personnel at her briefing on Thursday after Tolentino called her out for purportedly releasing inaccurate information.

Fajardo clarified that she only talked about the arrest of another police officer and a dismissed Army member after being caught moonlighting as a motorcycle-riding security escort during an HPG operation in Parañaque City on Monday.

“Wala po ako minention about sa huli ng MMDA, dahil to tell you frankly, noong ini-interview ako, hindi ko pa alam ang storya about sa MMDA,” Fajardo said.

(I did not mention anything about the MMDA personnel, because to tell you frankly, when I was interviewed, I still did not know the story behind it.)