Mobile policemen banned from escorting Filipino politicos, VIPs

MANILA – The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) issued an order banning all members of the 125,000-strong agency from providing escort service to politicians and VIPs, meaning “very influential personalities.”

In issuing the order, Director General Jesus Verzosa, the PNP chief, pointed out that police patrol cars could no longer be used by politicians and VIPs as their personal security escort vehicles.

“We no longer allow these vehicles to be used for personal purposes,” Verzosa emphasized. “They are prohibited to be use for other purposes other than in official police functions.”

In imposing the ban, he cited an existing guideline against the use of “PNP-acquired” vehicles for personal purposes and as back-up security vehicles of politicians and influential individuals, like businessmen.

But reliable PNP sources, who requested anonymity because they are not allowed to speak to media, questioned how Verzosa could effectively implement the ban in the absence of sanctions against the violators.

The sources recalled similar bans were imposed by past PNP chiefs but these were honored more in breach than in implementation.

According to Verzosa, many politicians, particularly local government officials in far-flung areas, use vehicles that have official PNP markings, sirens and blinkers moving about in their areas of jurisdiction.

The PNP chief observed that some of the politicians and the VIPs even use government-issued ambulances in carrying out activities such as bringing their children to and from school.

Verzosa said the continuous use of PNP vehicles would deprive the police of their ability to immediately respond to any crime or emergency situation.

He emphasized the ban also covers vehicles donated by local governments to their police forces as has been the case in many instances in the past.

Verzosa explained that once these vehicles are turned over to the PNP, it already assumed full control and supervision over these patrol cars.

“If they (politicians and VIPs) need escorts due to certain serious security concerns, then they should apply for it,” Verzosa emphasized. “But this can only be done for a very limited period.”

As part of the ban, he said he will order all PNP units nationwide to set up their own motor pools for the proper maintenance of the police vehicles.

Last week, the PNP announced the purchase of 664 assorted patrol cars and “Scene of the Crime Operatives” (Soco) vehicles for distribution to the agency’s units nationwide.

Verzosa said with the new acquisitions, the PNP now has a total of 9,000 vehicles, including motorcycles and patrol cars.

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