Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Red Maranan on Friday, Oct. 6, said the police officer in the viral video misheard his fellow cop, who had said that a “VIP” or very important person was about to cross Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
Interviewed during DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Maranan said the police officer, who was on duty in the area, received a call from his “buddy” during that day.
“Ang pagkakasabi, "Buddy, may dadaan na convoy, malamang VIP ito kay maki-assist lang". Ayun ang takbo ng usapan,” he said, adding that the police officer then stopped the vehicles from passing the Commonwealth after receiving the directive.
According to Maranan, the officer seemingly misheard his buddy and had told the video uploader that a “VP” or the Vice President was the one passing the area.
“Kahapon nga kinausap ko at sabi ko, paano mo nasabing VP, eh VIP naman?” he said.
Maranan said that they are now probing the incident, which happened about two to three days ago, upon the order of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Gusto natin sabihin sa ating kababayan na definitely, hindi ito convoy ni VP Sara. Sapagkat kung ang bise presidente ay darating sa isang lugar, eh may mga security plans tayo na ilalatag diyan,” he said.
The QCPD director said they would look into the identity of the VIP onboard the convoy.
But according to Maranan, it has been a police practice to assist convoys, ambulances, fire trucks, and other emergency vehicles.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has denied the allegations that Duterte was the one who caused the traffic disruption as she was in Mindanao for World Teacher's Day and other activities.
Based on a video shared by former Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño on X (formerly Twitter), a netizen was seen outraged by the sudden blockage of the road.
He then went close to the police officer to ask about the situation, and the cop said the flow of vehicles was ordered to stop as the "VP" was about to cross.
