The Philippine National Police is reviewing its guidelines on VIP convoy movements to ensure that police escorts follow rules on courtesy and refrain from intimidating or inconveniencing motorists, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
“While the safety of those the police are assigned to secure is a top priority, this should be done in a manner that will not cause inconvenience to motorists and compromise the safety of all road users,” the country’s top cop said as he reminded police escorts to follow guidelines that put safety and courtesy first.
“Our police escorts are trained to clear routes without endangering or disrespecting motorists. It is not part of the protocol to shove, shout, or show rude behavior. Our principle is courtesy, safety, and discipline at all times,” he said.
He also directed the Police Security Protection Group to look into reports of PSPG escorts aggressively clearing motorists to give way to VIP convoys.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III had earlier urged the PNP to regularly train PSPG escorts to remain polite and respectful during VIP movements. He said he had experienced police escorts aggressively forcing motorists aside, even with his “7” protocol plate, noting that ordinary motorists experience worse treatment.
The PNP is also conducting a refresher briefer for police escorts on the proper use of sirens and blinkers, limits of authority when clearing traffic, and expected conduct during movements. It will issue a memorandum reminding police escorts that intimidation, harassment, or use of unnecessary force against motorists is prohibited.
Nartatez assured the public that the welfare of motorists remains a priority in PNP operations.
VIP convoy movements, which are often led and accompanied by police escorts, are hard to miss in this country where it is often an obnoxious display of power, ostensibly for the ‘safety’ of their VIP. The public has long meekly tolerated these borderline abusive actions, believing that public officials don’t have their interests and welfare in mind anyway.
This initiative by the PNP leadership to review its guidelines, with the welfare of the public becoming a priority, is a welcome one, and hopefully results in convoys that are more palatable to the public, still while maintaining the objective of keeping their principals safe.*
