MANILA – The National Capital Region Office (NCRPO) has issued a warning to its staff against the use of sirens and blinkers in their vehicles, in order to assure that these devices remain symbols of authority rather than abuse.
NCRPO chief Vicente Danao Jr. also cautioned police officers who deliberately use recovered motor vehicles and motorcycles for personal use, stating that such actions contravene existing laws and standard operating procedures.
“Our Chief Philippine National Police (Gen. Dionardo Carlos) is firm in his warning to fire any police officer who will be found using recovered motor vehicles and motorcycles. This call shall be implemented strictly in this region and I will personally make sure that police officers found guilty of violating this order shall be dealt with accordingly,” Danao said.
Carlos had previously directed the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to pursue motorists, including law enforcement officers, who were known for inappropriately using sirens, blinkers, and other gadgets in their personal vehicles, which is against the law.
Private motorists who are caught using prohibited devices must dismantle and surrender them to the PNP-HPG before citation tickets are issued.
“This is part of our effort to instill discipline among our men to ensure that we keep a strong sense of moral fiber in our ranks. This is the very foundation of public service and one of the most definite ways to regain the trust and confidence of the citizenry to their police,” Danao said.
As part of the NCRPO’s operational regulations for the upcoming national and local elections, cops will be banned from carrying firearms from January 9 to June 8 of next year.
“On the other hand, the public can highly expect that our policemen will implement the Comelec’s gun ban policy with a sufficient number of checkpoints in the metropolis to help deter criminal minds in executing their evil designs,” Danao said.
