Senior police officials had an emergency closed-door meeting at Camp Crame Tuesday evening, prompting the use of the EDSA bus carousel, Philippine National Police chief PGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Wednesday.
In a radio interview, Marbil cited an emergency operation that will soon be announced by Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Jonvic Remulla.
"Kahapon kasi there was an emergency and there was an issue that we have to resolve, kaya the SILG will announce 'yung accomplishment kagabi (There was an emergency and an issue that we had to resolve yesterday, so the SILG will announce the accomplishment last night),” he said.
"Kailangan 'yung presensiya ng pulis namin na higher ups kasi nga nag-closed door meeting and something happened sa operation last night (We needed the presence of our higher-ranking police officers because there was a closed-door meeting and something happened during the operation last night.”
Marbil said he instructed the police convoy to give due courtesy to traffic enforcers manning the EDSA busway.
“Ang sabi ko lang (I told them)… talk to them a better courtesy. ‘Pagka nahuli ang mga tao natin (When our people are caught) you also to protect the identity of the people,” Marbil said.
“I told them. Please do not argue because they’re doing their job.”
He declined to confirm whether he was in the convoy, citing security concerns after the vehicle plate numbers were made public.
“Ang masasabi ko wala na po kaming ano because ang plate number po nilabas (We cannot tell because the plate number was publicized),” he added.
Marbil said there should be a protocol in place, noting that privacy could be compromised and adding that the identity of the person should not be exposed or shamed.
Earlier in the day, PNP spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo defended the convoy that used the EDSA busway, explaining that they are permitted during emergencies.
“Meron naman po doon sa guidelines na kapag ang mga PNP officers ay urgent and emergency in nature ay pupuwede naman pong dumaan po (There is a provision in the guidelines that allows PNP officers to use the EDSA busway in urgent and emergency cases),” Fajardo said.
She, however, noted that the convoy did not argue and instead simply requested to be allowed to immediately transport the officer to Camp Crame.
Fajardo disclosed that a senior police official was aboard one of the vehicles in the convoy, urgently heading to a closed-door meeting at Camp Crame, where the officer's presence was required.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed in a separate interview that the convoy was issued a ticket and complied with the apprehension.
"We are all working in government, and we understand that each agency has responsibilities to fulfill. What’s important is that we acknowledge and respect the purpose of these regulations," Dizon said.