PRO-7 chief: Identify errant ‘APEC driver’

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office 7 is conducting deeper investigation to identify the driver of the black Grandia van that was seen beating a red light and to determine if the vehicle is designated for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.

Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas, Police Regional Office 7 Director, said it is important to determine if the van is being used for the summit, considering that it bore the APEC logo.

The van beat the red light at the corner of S. Osmeña Boulevard and Pope John Paul II Avenue last Sunday.

Bañas said they opened an investigation immediately after reading the editorial of The FREEMAN, which disclosed the incident, and when the National Organizing Committee presided by Ambassador Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. brought the matter up during a meeting last Tuesday.

In the meeting was Undersecretary Natalio Ecarma III of the Department of National Defense who serves as chairman for security for the APEC Summit.

Bañas said Ecarma reported that the driver is now being located and drivers of vehicles of partner agencies and vehicles authorized by APEC have been warned that they will be apprehended if they disobey traffic rules.   Once located, the driver of the van will be made to explain his side.

“The drivers were warned. Ang instruction ni chief PNP pag lumabag ka sa rules and regulation ay hulihin ka…nobody is exempted sa law,” Bañas said.

Aside from the incident Sunday, Bañas said they also received another report about a vehicle with an APEC logo honking its horn along Salinas Drive in Barangay Lahug last Tuesday afternoon.

The vehicle was marked I40 and had the plate number APEC 135.

Only the driver was reportedly in the vehicle when this happened and it appeared to be in a hurry.

Bañas explained an APEC accredited vehicle may be given preferential treatment when it is transporting delegates but this will not apply if it is empty.

“We want to correct the shortcomings ng ating tao. Pag walang tao, wala (privilege)… driver lang daw eh. It’s up to him to justify kung bakit siya ganun,” Bañas said. — (FREEMAN)