Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Friday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to establish specific guidelines on unauthorized usage of vehicle stickers and markings.

The lawmaker made the appeal after two of his escorts from the Metro Manila Development Authority were arrested by the PNP Highway Patrol Group in Parañaque City on Wednesday for having “police” and “Master Rider’s Badge” markings on their motorcycles.

In his regular radio program, Tolentino questioned the basis for the arrest since no guidelines are currently in place.

“They were charged with Usurpation of Authority, yet they never impersonated police officers. Secondly, they were charged with improper use of stickers, but there is no law prohibiting the use of stickers. Perhaps insignias, but the stickers weren’t even on their uniforms,” he told PNP Spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo.

The Department of Justice, Tolentino said, dropped the charges “due to insufficient evidence.”

He stressed that no laws were violated as the MMDA owned the motorcycles with the markings.

“Dapat po siguro dito sa inyong mga guidelines, i-brief niyo nang maigi ang inyong mga tauhan kasi baka sila ang makasuhan Ma’am (Perhaps in your guidelines, you should brief your people thoroughly because they might be the ones to be charged before the courts, Ma’am),” Tolentino said.

Fajardo confirmed that they are just finalizing the detailed guidelines that the PNP Directorate for Operations is set to issue next week.

She also assured that Tolentino’s concerns were all noted and will be brought to the PNP leadership. (PNA)