Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday, Oct. 10, called on the reinstatement of the police officer, who was relieved after stopping the traffic to give way for the passing of a VIP convoy in a portion of Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City.
In an official statement, Quezon City local government unit (LGU) said Belmonte made the call after learning from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Rolando 'Don' Artes that "giving courtesy to VIPs in using public roads is normal."
"Following the clarification made by Chairman Artes, I feel that an injustice was committed against Pantollano and must be rectified, regardless of who the VIP was," the QC Mayor said as quoted by the QC LGU.
Belmonte added that the involved police officer "must be reinstated as he was simply doing his job."
The QC LGU said its local chief executive did not speak up on the issue as "she was under the impression" that the involved police cop "had committed a wrongdoing by stopping traffic."
Last week, a video of a cop stopping motorists along Commonwealth Ave. went surfaced and went viral on social media platforms.
Based on the viral video, the cop, identified as Executive Master Sergeant Verdo Pantollano, stopped the traffic flow because a "VP" was allegedly about to cross the road.
"May dadaan po tayong VIP. Si VP. Ko-cross lang po saglit,” Pantollano said.
The original uploader then implied that the VP was Vice President Sara Duterte.
However, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has denied allegations that it was Duterte who caused the traffic disruption as she was in Mindanao for World Teacher's Day and other activities.
Following the incident, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) relieved the involved cop from his position.
