‘Hero’ enforcer lauded for standing ground vs PNP convoy
Credit to Author: Janvic Mateo| Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — It takes extraordinary courage to stand firm and tell police officers – repeatedly – that they violated a highly publicized traffic rule.
As the Philippine National Police (PNP) try to address the violation of the convoy that passed through the EDSA busway on Tuesday, Filipino netizens are rallying behind the traffic enforcer that stood his ground and insisted on issuing traffic violation tickets.
The still unidentified enforcer, reportedly with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, drew praises and was even described a “hero” for not backing down.
“I salute those who made the apprehension and enforced the law. They should be given recognition,” one Facebook user said in Filipino.
“No one is above the law… I salute this man who (did) his duty without fear,” another added.
One also suggested promoting the enforcer for his actions.
In the now viral video, which was first posted by GMA News, the enforcer was repeatedly heard saying that passing through the busway without coordination was a clear violation of traffic rules.
“This keeps happening. You already know our mandate here,” he said in Filipino, referring to the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) that has jurisdiction over the busway.
“This busway was created not for VIPs, but for commuters,” he added.
The police officer repeatedly told the enforcer that they used the busway because there was an emergency. He also mentioned the words “PNP chief” several times, prompting speculation that the convoy was carrying PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.
The police officer later admitted committing a violation, with the vehicles returning to receive traffic violation tickets.
Marbil, who neither denied nor confirmed that he was in one of the vehicles, defended the police’s right to use the busway during emergencies.
Under the current policy, only emergency vehicles and the convoys of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker and Chief Justice are allowed to use the busway.