By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The police officer driving the police minibus involved in a collision with a public utility bus has been relieved from his post, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.
The incident happened near the EDSA bus carousel Main Avenue station around 5 p.m. on April 17, the third day of the transport strike, and the PNP’s Libreng Sakay program in response to the protest-action.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP Logistics Support Service (LSS) director Brig. Gen. Noel Vallo said that upon hearing the news, he immediately caused the transfer of the driver and his immediate supervisor to the Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) pending proper investigation.
“’Yun ang malinaw, wala sacred cow dito, kung nagkamali ka pasensyahan tayo, trabaho ito. Explain mo kung may negligence on your part. Administrative (case) is ongoing on the liability of our personnel, yung driver (That’s clear, there is no sacred cow here, if you make a mistake, then bear the consequences. If there is negligence on your part, you have to explain. Administrative is ongoing on the liability of our personnel, the driver),” Vallo told reporters.
“Napaka swift ang reaction natin sa mga ganyan dahil ang ating Chief PNP (Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr,) mahigpit ang ipinaguutos na zero tolerance tayo (Our reaction is swift because PNP Chief Nartatez strictly ordered a zero-tolerance policy) with regards to erring policemen,” he added.
He said PNP marked vehicles are allowed to use the EDSA bus lane during the three-day transport strike to provide resources to aid the riding public, but the driver miscalculated while turning left and hit the bus.
In a separate press briefing at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in Quezon City, Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Calinisan said he directed the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service to conduct a motu proprio investigation against Master Sgt. Jenifer Bredico, the driver of the PNP minibus.
This after the bus driver, Jessie Soledad, alleged that Bredico demanded for his driver’s license after the incident.
He noted that what could have been a simple incident was unnecessarily escalated, pointing out that the officer failed to extend a basic apology, remained unyielding, swerved across multiple lanes, and even demanded payment for the damage to the police vehicle.
The Napolcom will also investigate Quezon City Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit chief Lt. Col. Geoffrey Lim for allegedly preparing a misleading progress report claiming an “amicable settlement” between Soledad and Bredico, which the bus driver denied.
“We have to win the hearts and minds of Filipinos every single day. Tayong mga nasa gobyerno, clerk man o mataas na opisyal, we are called to serve with integrity. Ito ang malinaw na mandato ng ating Pangulo: magserbisyo nang tuwid at tapat, at linisin ang hanay ng kapulisan. Hindi madali ang manita ng pulis, ngunit tungkulin namin ito bilang pulis ng pulis (We in government, whether clerk or high-ranking official, we are called to serve with integrity.This is the clear mandate of our President: to serve with integrity and honesty, and to cleanse the ranks of the police force. It is not easy to question a police officer, but it is our duty as the police of the Police.). We will do our job, no matter how difficult it is, to protect the integrity of the police service and the trust of the people,” Calinisan said.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered an administrative review to determine the circumstances of the incident and to check whether proper protocols were followed.
He said the probe will also look into command supervision and possible lapses in discipline within the unit involved.
“Clearly, it shows the state of discipline over our drivers. I am asking the concerned directorial staff to issue the corresponding reminders and to ensure that corrective measures be served to those erring personnel,” Nartatez said in his speech during Monday’s flag raising at Camp Crame. (PNA)
