Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he would ban the entry of police escorts in the city if his directive against the unauthorized use of sirens and blinkers continues to fall on deaf ears.
The mayor said reports reached his office of another incident of indiscriminate use of these gadgets while escorting personalities in defiance to his memorandum to the Baguio City Police Office dated Nov. 5 to report or apprehend said violation of the law.
“Despite having informed the Chief PNP and the heads of concerned offices, wala pa rin. I hope this will be the last time that they will do it. Otherwise, I will be compelled to ban the entry of these police escorts to our city,” the mayor said.
It will be recalled that in his memorandum to BCPO Director, Col. Glenn Lonogan, the mayor said the unauthorized use of siren, bell, horn, whistle, and similar devices capable of producing loud or startling sounds as well as blinkers, dome lights and similar signaling or flashing gadgets is prohibited under Presidential Decree 96 s. 1973.
PD 96 only allows use of said devices by vehicles designated on official capacity by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Commission, Bureau of Fire Protection, and hospital ambulances.
“The use of said devices is allowed for official vehicles but in contemplation of emergency situations only. Henceforth, you are directed to cascade to all units to immediately report or apprehend persons who are using the same without authority or in contravention with the law,” the mayor stressed in his memorandum. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
