Humingi ng dispensa si former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino matapos mahuli ang kanyang dalawang convoy dahil sa maling paggamit ng Philippine National Police (PNP) stickers sa kanilang mga motorsiklo.
Kamakailan ay nahuli ng Highway Patrol Group (HPG) ang dalawang MMDA traffic aide unit dahil umano sa kanilang paggamit ng “POLICE” at “Master Rider’s Badge” sa kanilang sasakyan.
Paliwanag ng dalawang traffic aide unit ay may pahintulot sila na gamitin ito dahil inatasan din sila maging escort ni Tolentino noong araw na iyon.
“In-escortan nila sabi nila yung former MMDA chairman, si Sen. Francis Tolentino. Authorized naman, nagbibigay kami ng mga security sa senators. Hindi lang sa LGU, chief executive kasi meron din silang sakop. Authorized naman siya [Sen. Tolentino] kaya ang hinarang namin ‘yung talagang motor [ng MMDA personnels],” paliwanag ng HGP officer sa isang interbyu.
Nagbigay paliwanag si Tolentino sa kanyang Facebook page at sinabing hindi niya kontrolado ang mga markings na inilalagay ng kanyang mga personnel sa kanilang mga motorsiklo o iba pang personal na gamit.
“This is an internal MMDA matter. […] No violation of existing laws relative to insignias was committed as the stickers were not attached to their uniforms. I want to assure the public that I supported the authorities involved in the investigation conducted,” dagdag niya.
Bukod sa sinasabing “unacceptable police markings,” ipinaliwanag niya na wala nang ibang naging isyu sa pagkakaaresto ng dalawang MMDA personnel.
“My concern right now is the physical and mental safety of the MMDA personnel as they were detained by the HPG and they have been provided with legal assistance. And I was just informed that said MMDA personnel were already released from detention for lack of sufficient evidence, by the Department of Justice. According to the PNP-HPG director, the motorcycle riders were duly authorized,” sambit ni Tolentino.
Dahil dito, sinigurado ni Tolentino na hindi na ito mauulit at sinabing inatasan niya na ang MMDA personnels na tanggalin ang lahat ng police stickers sa kanilang mga personal na gamit alinsunod sa nakatalaga sa batas.
Humingi rin siya ng dispensa sa nangyaring komosyon dahil dito. “My sincerest apologies to the public who I always strive to serve with integrity and transparency, and those concerned agencies affected.”
Nanindigan din si Tolentino na patuloy na makikipag-ugnayan sa law enforcement agencies para na rin aniya sa kaligtasan ng mamamayan.