Philippine National Police Chief PGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has denied ordering or requesting the suspension of operations along the EDSA busway.
"I don't do that," Marbil said in a text message with the press.
Marbil's statement is related to an incident where a PNP-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) convoy was caught using the EDSA busway and allegedly instructed traffic enforcers to stop their operations.
A white van, along with another vehicle, was seen heading north on the EDSA busway in the Ortigas area. Reports also indicate that a high-ranking PNP-HPG official was among those in the convoy.
Upon nearing enforcers from the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT), the vehicles tried to leave the lane but were immediately stopped.
The officers intercepted on the busway were reportedly heard using profanity directed at the SAICT enforcers.
Meanwhile, the PNP-HPG voiced concern over the recent incident involving a convoy led by two HPG officers on the EDSA busway, which they claim has attracted attention on social media.
"It is imperative to clarify that the name of PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has been unjustly associated with this matter," PNP-HPG said in a statement on Monday.
"We assert that there was absolutely no intention to undermine the mandate of the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) or to dictate the actions of its operatives," they added.
The PNP-HPG further clarified that the suggestions made by the HPG officer, as shown in a video, were aimed primarily at easing traffic congestion during rush hour.
Moreover, the PNP-HPG described the incident as both unfortunate and isolated, emphasizing that they are taking strict measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
RH Edniel Parrosa’s report stated that Director PBGen. Eleazar Mata is expected to personally visit the DOTr office today to address the issue directly.
The DOTr-SAICT operations remain ongoing this morning, despite several incidents involving enforcement actions on vehicles using the EDSA busway.
