THE Highway Patrol Group in Central Visayas (HPG 7) is reminding local chief executives throughout the region to remove their car blinkers and sirens in compliance with Administrative Order (AO) 18 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on March 25, 2024.
HPG 7 Deputy Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Roel Villarin said the HPG will strictly implement the President’s order regardless of who they might step on.
The AO prohibits government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices in a bid to promote the welfare and well-being of the general public. Exempted from the AO are police patrol cars, fire trucks, cars from the armed forces and National Bureau of Investigation, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
Villarin said only HPG men are allowed to escort very important people (VIPs), and that police officers from other units are not permitted to do so.
For his part, City of Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong has responded positively to Marcos’ order.
In a text message to SunStar Cebu on Thursday, April 11, Chiong said all public officials should adhere to it
without exception.
“It is just right. We are not up and above the people,” the mayor said. / AYB, TPT, KJF