THIRD District Board Member Andrew Montelibano clarified Tuesday, March 17, that he did not defy border thermal scanning on Monday in Barangay Mansilingan.

Montelibano said the railing was opened by the police officer after he asked to be allowed to pass and not go through the thermal scanner because he has gone through several of it especially at the capitol that day.

He said after he presented his identification card he was allowed to pass by the police officers manning the checkpoint and that he was surprised that he was already subjected to media reports and social media postings to have defied the thermal scanning.

“That certain police officer may only want to create issue on politicians. I did not defy because if I did, I would have advised my driver and staff at the other car to follow me,” Montelibano pointed out.

He said that his staff stayed at the long queue in Barangay Mansilingan and was able to arrive in Bacolod City proper at around 6:00 P.M.

Montelibano said the police officer acknowledged and identified him being the former Mayor of Murcia and advised him to follow the thermal scanning procedure but he was allowed to pass ahead of others.

He said that he told the PNP personnel that he needs to be at the capitol for some papers needed for their session Tuesday.

He suggested that a system should be adopted at birder checkpoints to avoid long queues. (TDE)