ILOILO City – The Highway Patrol Group (HPG), under the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), has been assigned the lead role in enforcing the newly issued Administrative Order No. 18 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The presidential order prohibits government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar devices.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, the spokesperson for PRO-6, said Regional Police Director, Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky has already instructed HPG personnel to monitor compliance within the cities and municipalities of the region.
According to Solis, the use of such signaling devices is restricted to emergency situations only.
The enforcement is part of the HPG’s core duties, and they are prepared to implement it strictly, including setting up checkpoints to catch violators, Solis added.
While the order allows certain exceptions for vehicles like those of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, fire trucks, hospital ambulances, and other emergency vehicles, their use is limited strictly to emergencies to ensure the effective and safe transport of emergency responders.
According to President Marcos, government officials and personnel sing sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling devices were causing traffic disruptions.
“It has been observed that the unauthorized and indiscriminate use of sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices has been rampant, causing traffic disruptions and unsafe road and traffic environment,” Marcos said through Administrative Order No. 18.
The President stressed that the unauthorized and improper use of signaling or flashing devices by government officials and employees shall be dealt with in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
“In this light, all government officials and personnel are hereby reminded that use of sirens, dome lights, blinkers and other similar devices shall only be under exigent or emergency circumstances or situations or to ensure the expedient and safe passage of emergency responders,” Marcos said./PN
