The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed concerns over what they described as a "violation of privacy" after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) publicly disclosed the details of the convoy that was intercepted at the EDSA Busway on Tuesday night.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP Public Information Chief PCol. Randulf Tuaño emphasized that there is no need to publicize the license plates and names of those who were apprehended.
Tuaño clarified that the incident was simply a 'moving violation' and that issuing tickets to those involved was sufficient.
"Yung normal procedure kung ikaw ay mahuli, i-issuehan ka ng ticket. Hindi mo kinakailangan ipangalandakan sa mundo yung plate number at pangalan nung mga nahuli mo," Tuaño said.
PNP Chief PGen. Rommel Marbil reiterated the same position, stating that the violation involving his senior officials, who needed to use the EDSA Busway for a 'security emergency,' was strictly administrative.
"Ang PNP po we are always in heightened alert. We are on call 24 hours a day. And there is a guideline na nilabas po ng DOTR na the PNP vehicles, ang sinasabi in case of emergency, national issues, you can use that," Marbil said in a phone interview at the PNP headquarters.
Two motorcycles from the HPG and two SUVs of PNP senior officers were flagged down at EDSA Ortigas, but Camp Crame denied that PGen. Marbil was aboard any of the vehicles, despite claims that it was his convoy.
Marbil is reportedly set to meet with the DOTr-SAICT to clarify the guidelines applicable to similar situations.
