PNP-HPG cops cited for working during Kristine, Leon’s wrath
OFFICERS and men of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) have been cited by PNP chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil for a job well done in enforcing the law while guarding the highways amid the onslaught of typhoons Kristine and Leon.
Headed by Brigadier Gen. William M. Segun, PNP-HPG personnel worked round-the-clock last week to secure highways and other major thoroughfares as the government launched a massive search, rescue, relief and retrieval operations in wide parts of the country ravaged by the storms.
In particular, the PNP-HPG was commended by the Department of Energy for ensuring the safe arrival of 32 fuel tankers dispatched last week to help avert a fuel shortage in the Bicol region which was devastated by massive flooding and landslides.
The Regional Highway Patrol Unit 5 headed by Major Joselito E. Quila was lauded for working tirelessly to provide traffic assistance and traffic direction along the highways of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon.
Segun mobilized all available PNP-HPG units to ensure the unhampered travel of the DOE-commissioned fuel tankers to Bicol region amid heavy traffic experienced in particular along the Maharlika Highway in Milaor-San Fernando, Camarines Sur, the Almeda highway in Naga City and Pili and from Libmanan to Milaor road.
The road safety assistance provided by the PNP-HPG allowed the fuel caravan to reach their destinations on time and without any hitches, the DOE said.
The ‘Guardians of the Highways’ also served as a main component of the PNP in ensuring the safety and security of the public during the recent All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
PNP-HPG men helped patrol the highways and major thoroughfares leading to public cemeteries and private memorial parks in different parts of the country and activated their own HPG assistance desks to help the people.
In Metro Manila, Brig. Gen. Segun also led the inspection of different bus terminals last week to check the readiness of bus drivers and their vehicles and remind the public to maintain their vigilance and follow all PNP security reminders under their Oplan: Undas 2024.
Similar inspections were conducted by the 17 other RHPUs to help protect Filipinos who paid homage to their departed loved ones.
The PNP-HPG did not forget its main mandate to go after car thieves, hijackers and highway robbers in the country during the period.
Records showed that last month, the unit accounted for over a dozen persons wanted for violation of Republic Act 10883 or the new Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 and recovered 5 suspected stolen vehicles and 3 motorcycles.
It also impounded 85 motor vehicles and 307 motorcycles for various violations amid its stepped-up enforcement of the law.
Brig. Gen. Segun has also ordered an intensified enforcement of Presidential Decree 96 which prohibits the unauthorized use of sirens, blinkers and other similar gadgets that reverberates loud sound, including dome lights and other similar signaling or flashing devices on the highways.
Members of the unit have accosted 16 vehicle owners found using unauthorized HPG ‘logo and stickers’ and confiscated 22 horns and sirens, 532 blinkers and 5 illegal mufflers.
PNP-HPG officers also issued 8,365 traffic violation tickets to offenders during the period.
Last October 28, PNP-HPG Special Operations Unit/Task Force Limbas operatives arrested one John Laurence Paul during an entrapment in Makati City which led to the recovery of a stolen Mitsubishi L-300 FB van (NBZ-6878), said Brig. Gen. Segun.
The arrest was made after a complainant went to the HPG headquarters to report that he discovered his stolen van was being sold at Facebook MarketPlace for P80,000, which was below its current fair market value.
Brig. Gen. Segun also announced that they have busted the so-called “Vino/Dizon Rent-Tangay Group” with the arrest of six of its members led by a 52-year old police lieutenant colonel from Tondo, Manila.
The suspects were accused of duping numerous car owners, mostly public school teachers, businessmen and Overseas Filipino Workers since 2016.
Three of the suspects were arrested in separate operations last October, two of them on the strength of warrants of arrest for violation of RA 10883 and the 3rd for attempting to sell a blue Ford Focus with fake registration papers.
The suspect also yielded a loaded caliber .38 pistol with six live ammunition and a Glock 19 replica when apprehended last October 15.
“Our policemen have shown remarkable courage, putting their lives on the line to protect and save others,” Marbil said.
Over 4,000 officers were dispatched to the hardest-hit areas in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions, providing essential support in addressing the urgent needs of the affected communities, Gen. Marbil said.
