PNP to form multi-agency team vs. 'moonlighting' security escorts

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government agencies would create a special team to crack down on police officers moonlighting as security escorts and the unauthorized use of marked vehicles.

The measure was tackled in the meeting between PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority(MMDA), PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Thursday.

“Our IMEG (Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group) pati HPG (Highway Patrol Group) would run after dito sa mga posibleng gumagamit ng mga (those who are using) marked vehicles na hindi naman talagang totoong pulis (which are not really legitimate police officers) and of course, the IMEG, as what was discussed with the DOTr and MMDA, they might catch moonlighting police officers,” she said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

She said the team would be initially activated in Metro Manila.

“Hopefully by next week, we are just finalizing guidelines, maglalabas ng guidelines yung ating (guidelines would be released by our) DO (Directorate for Pperations) sino-sino ang mga units (what units are) involved particularly in the PNP definitely, the IMEG and HPG will be included in that team,” she said.

Meanwhile, HPG operatives arrested two MMDA personnel who were assigned as security escorts of a government official for the unauthorized use of police markings.

HPG-NCR director Col. Neil Francia said the two were nabbed in an operation targeting unauthorized escorts and illegal blinkers and sirens in Parañaque City on Wednesday.

Based on the report, the operatives observed clear “police” and “Master Rider’s Badge” markings on the widescreen and both sides of the saddle box of the motorcycles of the two personnel.

“In-escortan nila, sabi nila 'yung (They said they were escorting) former MMDA chairman, Sen. Francis Tolentino. Authorized naman (They are authorized), we provide security to senators and also to LGU (local government unit) chief executives," Francia said.

The two MMDA personnel, now under the custody of HPG-NCR, will be charged with the violation of Article 177 (usurpation of authority) and Article 179 (use of uniform or insignia) of the Revised Penal Code while their motorcycles are temporarily impounded at the field unit. (PNA)