Apology from the Top Cop
Quezon City, [Date] – In a move aimed at amending a recent incident that resulted in a major traffic jam on Commonwealth Avenue, Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, Director of the Quezon City Police District, issued a heartfelt apology to Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday.
The chaos unfolded due to a misunderstanding surrounding security measures that inadvertently inconvenienced motorists and left commuters frustrated.
A Viral Video Sparks Outrage
The fiasco began when a video went viral, showing a police officer claiming that a section of Commonwealth Avenue had been closed off to facilitate the passage of Vice President Duterte’s convoy. This allegation quickly spread and fueled anger among citizens already grappling with the city’s notorious traffic woes.
Setting the Record Straight
Brig. Gen. Maranan swiftly addressed the issue in a statement, clarifying that Vice President Duterte was not the intended beneficiary of the security measures taken during that time. He emphasized that managing traffic is an integral part of safeguarding VIPs, including diplomats, government officials, state guests, and other high-profile individuals whose movements demand the highest level of security.
Maranan underscored the importance of keeping traffic management apolitical, stating,
“Our approach to simple traffic management should remain free from political influence.”
An Apology for the Inconvenience
In addition to apologizing to Vice President Duterte, Maranan extended his regrets to the motorists and commuters affected by the situation. He acknowledged the significance of preserving the dignity and reputation of public officials, regardless of their status, and pledged to maintain transparency and professionalism in their operations.
OVP’s Demand for an Investigation
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) promptly called on the Quezon City Police District to conduct an investigation into the matter, asserting that Vice President Duterte had no involvement in the incident. The OVP clarified that the Vice President was in Butuan City, attending a National Teachers’ Day event at the time of the incident.
Officer Relieved of Duty
Meanwhile, Quezon City Police District Police Station 14 commander Lt. Col. May Genio relieved Sgt. Pantallano, the police officer responsible for the initial allegation, from duty.
Genio stated, “I have ordered the relief of my policeman and initiated an investigation to determine administrative liability for his actions. We assure the public that this incident will not happen again.”
A Lapse in Judgment
Lt. Col. Genio attributed the incident to a lapse in judgment by the traffic officer during that time. It appears that Sgt. Pantallano overreacted due to misleading information he overheard. Genio explained,
“It appears that our policeman overreacted when he stopped traffic for a few minutes, based on the misleading information he overheard.”
Sgt. Pantallano had apparently mistaken the word “VP” for Vice President, consequently prompting him to clear the traffic as a courtesy and security measure.
Additionally, in a closing statement, Sgt. Pantallano extended his personal apology to Vice President Duterte, acknowledging the mistake that had inadvertently caused the traffic disruption.
Sources: THX News & Philippine News Agency.
