Cop, driver may face admin raps over alleged traffic violation

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer and the driver of a mobile patrol unit they were riding may face administrative sanctions over an alleged traffic violation, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

In a statement, the PNP slammed the purported incident as an “[action] that posed a risk to public safety and [a violation of] existing traffic regulations.”

“Administrative action will be pursued as warranted, in accordance with existing laws and PNP policies,” the police force said.

READ: LTO summons cop, driver in viral traffic incident

The police officer and the mobile patrol unit driver had been summoned by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) last week for allegedly using a PNP-marked vehicle to transport two wooden pushcarts that protruded beyond the vehicle’s dimensions.

The LTO also noted that the PNP-marked vehicle had no license plate.

Neither the PNP nor the LTO identified the police officer and the mobile patrol unit driver nor detail the circumstances of the purported incident.

Nonetheless, the national police said it respected the LTO’s issuance of a show cause order against the two PNP personnel and assured that it was coordinating with the transport agency in the investigation.

“We reiterate that all PNP personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism at all times,” the law enforcement agency said.

“Any act that compromises public safety or erodes public trust will not be tolerated,” it added. /cb