PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa ordered anew on Friday the strict implementation of the ban on the use of sirens, blinkers and unauthorized police escorts particularly during the conduct of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the upcoming holiday season.

"We are imposing existing measures against the indiscriminate use of prohibited sirens, bells, horns, whistles, or similar gadgets that produce staggering sounds and as well as motorcycle security escorts when traversing highways and major thoroughfares for personal advantage and easy passage," Gamboa said.

He said only marked PNP patrol vehicles and motorcycles, rescue and emergency vehicles and ambulances are allowed to use such.

“PNP motorcycles and mobile cars are only authorized for police patrol purposes, not for weddings, birthdays, and funerals,” Gamboa added.

Under PNP Memo Circular No. 2017-049, PNP mobile and motorcycle security escorts can only be provided to the President and Vice President of the Philippines, Senate President, Speaker of the House Representatives, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and other authorized government officials and foreign delegates during national events.

Meanwhile, Gamboa tapped all unit commanders to deploy police and traffic personnel particularly along the busiest streets in their areas of responsibility to provide immediate assistance to emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)