MANILA — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said the department will check if the Philippine National Police abused authority when some of its vehicles passed through the EDSA busway, a lane exclusive for buses plying Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.

Police Gen. Rommel Marbil, PNP chief, earlier said that senior police officials had to use the EDSA busway after they were summoned to Camp Crame for a closed-door, emergency meeting.

Remulla confirmed in a press conference in Malacañang that he had asked Marbil to attend the emergency meeting, but added: “Let me make it clear that I did not give instructions to violate any traffic laws to get there.”

Remulla said that he only learned of the incident on Wednesday, a day after it went viral on social media. He said he does not know if Marbil was in the vehicles that used the busway.

“I will confirm with him and ask him for an explanation,” he said.

PNP admits convoy violated EDSA busway rules

Remulla warned members of the PNP against using their authority to skirt traffic regulations, underscoring that the DILG has a “firm agreement” with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) regarding a “zero tolerance policy” for the use of the EDSA busway.

The busway is reserved for buses but official vehicles of the President, vice president, Senate president, House speaker, and Supreme Court chief justice, as well as emergency vehicles are also allowed to use it.

Marbil earlier refused to confirm if he was aboard the vehicle that violated traffic rules, citing security concerns as the plate number of the vehicles were divulged to the public.

Alleged convoy of PNP chief Marbil flagged down for using EDSA busway

The PNP said that the drivers of the vehicles were later on instructed to go back to the area to receive their tickets after dropping off their VIP passengers at Camp Crame.