The Philippine National Police has confirmed the incident involving its convoy, which was stopped and ticketed for illegally using the EDSA Bus Carousel lane in Ortigas on Tuesday, February 25.  

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

PNP Spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said that while the police force is fully aware of existing traffic rules, the convoy had to take the restricted lane due to the urgent need for a senior officer to reach Camp Crame.  

"The convoy was headed to Camp Crame because a closed-door meeting was taking place that required the urgent presence of our officer," she said.  

Despite the urgency, Fajardo emphasized that the convoy did not resist when flagged down by enforcers from the Department of Transportation - Special Action and Intelligence Committee on Transportation (DOTr-SAICT).

The officers initially attempted to explain their situation, but upon refusal from enforcers, they accepted the ticket.  

"Linawin po natin na iyon pong mga sasakyan na iyon ay nagpa-ticket. In fact, noong una po ay nag-attempt na makiusap iyong isa sa security explaining po iyong urgency kung bakit po sila dumaan doon sa lane. However, since hindi na nakipagtalo iyong security ay nagpa-ticket na lang po sila. Bagamat nakiusap na payagan pong makaalis iyong dalawang sasakyan," she said. 

According to the sequence of events, two motorcycle escorts were first stopped by DOTr-SAICT enforcers, who declined their explanation that the convoy was en route to Camp Crame. 

To express their intent to comply with traffic rules, one of the motorcycle escorts stayed behind to acknowledge their liability.  

"At tama po, iyong dalawang sasakyan po ay bumalik. In fact, just to show their intention to really follow po iyong implementing guidelines po sa paggamit ng carousel lane, ay iniwan po doon iyong isang motorcycle escort para sabihin at maipakita na walang intention na takasan iyong kanilang liability," Fajardo added.  

The PNP also addressed the backlash on social media, acknowledging the criticisms and reiterating their respect for traffic regulations. However, the names of the senior officers onboard were withheld for security reasons.  

"For security reasons, we will not disclose the identities of those in the convoy. What we can confirm is that they are senior officers holding sensitive positions," Fajardo said.  

The PNP assured the public that it remains committed to upholding the law, even when its own personnel are involved in such incidents.