📷Sen. Francis Tolentino
ESCORT service brouhaha isn’t limited to cops after all, as the Philippine National Police (PNP) flagged two Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel posing as members of the PNP Highway Patrol Group while escorting a sitting senator in Parañaque City.
According to Col. Neil Francia, in his capacity as PNP-HPG director for the National Capital Region (NCR), the two unnamed MMDA personnel were apprehended last Wednesday for using blinkers and sirens while escorting Senator Francis Tolentino.
However, while being issued citation tickets, the HPG operative saw police markings on their motorcycles – one indicating “police” and another “master rider’s badge.”
“They said they were escorting former MMDA chairman, Senator Francis Tolentino. They were authorized as escorts as we provide security to senators and also to local government unit chief executives,” Francia said.
Meanwhile, MMDA in a statement said that they are now investigating two of its personnel who were caught for the unauthorized use of police markings while escorting Tolentino.
Both MMDA personnel have been placed under the custody of HPG-NCR pending the filing of charges embarking on the violation of Article 177 (usurpation of authority) and Article 179 (use of uniform or insignia) of the Revised Penal Code.
“We are coordinating with PNP-HPG and waiting for the official report. We will investigate the matter and act accordingly,” MMDA chairman Romando Artes said. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
