Raps vs driver who tried to join presidential convoy

The Presidential Security Group (PSG) is set to press charges against a driver of a sedan for trying to join President Arroyo’s motorcade last Monday, causing one of her vehicle escorts to overturn. Two PSG officers were hurt.

PSG Chief Col. Romeo Prestoza said charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple injuries and damage to government property would be filed against Archibald Yap Ang. Ang was tailing the motorcade to escape the usually heavy traffic along EDSA.

Prestoza said Ang was able to overtake the last five vehicles of the convoy and was nearing the back-up BMW presidential limousine when they reached Mandaluyong City.

S/Sgt. Antonio Liban, who was in a Nissan Safari with M/Sgt. Zaldy Novicio, blocked the approaching Honda Jazz, which smashed into him.

The Nissan went out of control, tumbled, and landed on its roof. Ang, meanwhile, crashed into a pillar of the elevated Metro Rail Transit commuter train. Prestoza said the BMW also sustained damage in its left side.

Liban sustained cuts in the head that required four stitches while Novicio suffered contusions all over.

"We were thankful that the President was not hurt and our men only sustained relatively minor injuries," Prestoza told The STAR.— Paolo Romero