Nagpaabot ng formal apology ang Quezon City Police District (QCPD) kay Vice President Sara Duterte kasunod ng pagkakasangkot ng kanyang pangalan sa nangyaring traffic congestion sa Commonwealth Avenue.
Ayon kay QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, walang political motive ang insidente at nagpahayag ng panghihinayang sa anumang hindi sinasadyang pagkakaugnay sa Bise Presidente.
“The QCPD would like to clarify that the recent traffic management operation was not, in any manner, related to politics,” aniya sa isang pahayag. “In particular, we extend our apologies to the Office of the Vice-President for any unintended association with this matter, as the VP was not the subject of the security measures taken during that time.”
Itinanggi ng Office of the Vice President (OVP) ang anumang pagkakasangkot ni Duterte sa pagkagambala sa trapiko. Sinabi nila na siya ay nasa Butuan City para dumalo sa isang National Teachers’ Day event sa araw na iyon.
“The Vice President did not ask QCPD and will never ask government agencies, including law enforcement bodies, to carry out actions that would inconvenience the public or cause them harm,” paglilinaw nito. “The Vice President will always put the interest and welfare of the public over her own personal interest and privileges.”
Ang insidente ay naiugnay sa hindi pagkakaunawaan at lapse in judgement ng isang opisyal ng QCPD na kinilalang si Sgt. Pantallano, na namamahala sa trapiko noon. Sgt. Si Pantallano ay tinanggal na sa kanyang puwesto at nasa ilalim ng imbestigasyon para sa administrative liability.
“It appears that our policeman overreacted when he stopped the traffic for a few minutes, because of misleading information he overheard. Accordingly, Sgt. Pantallano mistakenly heard the word VP hence, he decided to clear the traffic as a sign of courtesy and security, where in fact, based on records, VP Sara Duterte has no engagement in that particular area,” paliwanag ni Police Station 14 commander Lt. Col. May Genio.
Bilang tugon sa insidente, siniguro niya sa publiko na hindi na mauulit ang nangyari,
Samantala, binigyang-diin ni Maranan na ang pamamahala sa trapiko ay isang mahalagang aspeto ng mga hakbang sa seguridad na ibinigay para sa mga VIP at dignitaryo, kabilang ang mga halal na opisyal, at dapat manatiling malaya sa impluwensyang pampulitika.
“We understand the importance of upholding the dignity and reputation of our public officials,” aniya. “Our commitment remains unwavering in ensuring the safety and security of all individuals under our protection, regardless of their status. We will continue to strive for transparency and professionalism in our operations.”
Photo credit: Facebook/MayorIndaySaraDuterteOfficial