Ejercito hits illegal use of ‘wang-wang’, blinkers
“TAMA ba yung mag-power trip sa pamamagitan ng wang-wang?”
Thus said by Senator JV Ejercito yesterday as he lambasted the illegal use of sirens known to ordinary Filipinos as “wang-wang” (sirens) by some political and business figures and their convoy escorts.
According to Ejercito, the use and abuse of wang-wang by some people is “a display of their character”, as he asked them where they get such kind of special privilege when many Filipinos are required to obey the law.
“Dapat itigil na ito. Sobrang abuso at kayabangan ang ganitong uri ng kilos ng sinuman mamamayan na hindi alam ang salitang respeto sa kapwa at sa batas sa gitna ng kalye,” Ejercito said.
Earlier, Ejercito, on his Twitter account “castigated” an alleged abuse act of a BMW GS1250 as escort of a Rolls Royce Cullinan and a Mercedes G63 SUV (sports utility vehicle) for backup.
“This abuse should stop!” Ejercito stressed.
The senator from San Juan admitted he is very “disappointed” with some officials, business people, and some private citizens obviously with money and their escorts who “display” their money and power by using sirens and blinkers.
“Dapat po maintindihan nila na pantay-pantay tayong lahat sa pagamit ng kalye. Hindi po natin puwede ipakita na may mga privilege ang iba at special treatment,” he clarified.
Ejercito called on the police, traffic enforcers, and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to immediately act and address the growing problem.
It can be recalled that under Presidential Decree No. 96, the use or attachment of “any siren, bell, horn, whistle or other similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including dome lights, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices” is unlawful.
Ejercito confirmed he personally witnessed this kind of abuse, and he challenged proper authorities to act on this right away, insisting that everyone has equal rights and no one should be above the law.
