A POLICEMAN was relieved from his post after stopping the traffic for a few minutes along the busy Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday, October 5, 2023, in order to give way to a VIP (very important person).
Lieutenant Colonel May Genio, commander of Quezon City Police Station 14, said Police Executive Master Sergeant Verdo Pantollano will undergo investigation to identify his administrative liability, noting that the incident stemmed from “confusion and lapse in judgment” of the cop.
Genio said that according to Pantollano, he mistakenly overheard the word VP, making him think that Vice President Sara Duterte will pass through.
A video of the heavy traffic in the area went viral, with Duterte receiving criticisms.
In a statement, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said Duterte is in Mindanao for the World Teacher’s Day and other activities on Thursday.
“The Vice President did not ask QCPD and will never ask government agencies, including law enforcement bodies, to carry out actions that would inconvenience the public or cause them harm,” the OVP said.
In a statement, Quezon City Police District Director Brigadier General Red Maranan apologized to the public, especially to Duterte.
“The QCPD would like to clarify that the recent traffic management operation was not, in any manner, related to politics. However, we acknowledge that there may have been inconvenience and misunderstandings caused to the public during this incident. Your QCPD sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience and confusion brought on by the situation,” he said.
“In particular, we extend our apologies to the Office of the Vice President for any unintended association with this matter, as the VP was not the subject of the security measures taken during that time,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)