EDSA busway (File photo).
The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has relieved three of its personnel for the unauthorized use of the EDSA busway and allegedly instructed traffic enforcers to halt their operations.
PNP-HPG spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang confirmed the officers’ relief in a media interview but withheld their identities and ranks pending the results of an ongoing investigation and potential administrative charges.
HPG director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta has ordered a thorough probe into the incident.
“The HPG leadership, under Brig. Gen. Matta does not tolerate such misconduct. A full investigation is underway,” Malang stated.
PNP chief not involved
The PNP-HPG also clarified that PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil had no involvement in the incident.
“It is imperative to clarify that PNP Chief Gen. Marbil has been unjustly linked to this matter,” the agency said in a statement.
The clarification comes after a viral video showed an HPG officer claiming that the PNP chief ordered the suspension of traffic enforcement operations to ease congestion.
Incident details
According to a report from the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT), the incident occurred on February 7 at around 7:45 a.m. along the Ortigas Northbound Flyover, EDSA Busway.
The report stated that:
🚔 Two vehicles with police escorts on HPG motorcycles were flagged down for unauthorized use of the busway.
🚔 An HPG officer allegedly reacted aggressively, verbally confronting the SAICT enforcer during ticket issuance.
HPG’s commitment to accountability
The PNP-HPG assured the public that it remains committed to high ethical standards and will not tolerate any actions that could compromise its integrity.
“This is an unfortunate and isolated incident. We are taking stringent measures to ensure such occurrences do not happen again,” the agency said.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the PNP-HPG emphasizing its full cooperation in ensuring accountability.