PNP probes alleged memo to ‘overshadow’ Edsa busway issue
Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating a leaked internal memorandum that allegedly outlines strategies to “overshadow” the incident where a PNP convoy was stopped along the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) busway.
The convoy, members of which namedropped PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, was caught along the Edsa exclusive bus lane on Tuesday evening.
READ: PNP: Convoy caught using Edsa busway carrying ‘senior officers’
The memo allegedly issued by the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR) on Feb. 26 reportedly tasks the Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCADG) to “redirect public attention and mitigate any further negative impact for the [PNP Chief] and the organization.”
“We are aware of reports circulating regarding an alleged leaked memorandum and are currently conducting an internal verification process to determine its authenticity and context,” the PNP said in a statement on Thursday.
“The PNP does not condone any attempts to manipulate public perception or divert attention from matters of public concern. We remain committed to accountability and due process in addressing any infractions involving our personnel,” it added.
The alleged memo from the DPCR also reportedly designated the PNP Public Information Office as the sole unit allowed to speak on the matter and instructed police regional offices to “amplify” their operational accomplishments to “further overshadow the issue.”
The PNP did not confirm nor deny the authenticity of the memo.
“The PNP will continue to engage with the public in a transparent and responsible manner. We urge the public to rely on verified sources of information to avoid misinformation and speculation,” it said.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo explained on Wednesday morning that the convoy was carrying “senior officers” whose presence in Camp Crame was “required” for a “closed-door meeting regarding an ongoing security operation.”
In a radio interview on Wednesday morning, Marbil did not name the senior officers nor the security operation in question, citing privacy concerns for the former and deferring the latter to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
READ: PNP chief refuses to name convoy members who used Edsa bus lane
At a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Remulla said, “I was not with General Marbil at that time so only he can answer that.”
“I asked him to appear, so kung anuman ang methodology niya para papunta roon (whatever his methodology to go there), let me make it clear, I did not give instructions to violate any traffic laws to get there. But he was aware of the emergency,” he added.
