Anti-siren campaign City police confiscate 8 wang-wangs from civilians

CEBU, Philippines - Police confiscated eight sirens, locally called “wang-wangs,” during a checkpoint in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City last Saturday night.

Operatives of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) conducted a mobile checkpoint from 6 p.m. to past 8 p.m. in Sitio Panagdait in answer to Malacañang’s order against the illegal use of sirens and blinkers.

The team, led by Insp. Genilo Veraque, was assisted by members of the Barangay Intelligence Network and traffic enforcers from the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom).

They were able to confiscate eight sirens from erring motorists whom they apprehended for various traffic violations. During the checkpoint, the police also issued to different motorists 12 citation tickets and three temporary operators permit (TOP).

However, the confiscation of sirens has so far affected only motorcycles. The policemen have yet chance upon illegal use of sirens by cars, according to PO3 Cesar Pandong.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) had declared that it would strictly enforce the 37-year-old ban on the use of sirens and blinkers, which are mostly used by government officials in easing their way through traffic. Through the years, the sirens and blinkers have also been illegally used even by non-government officials.

PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa earlier announced that they would coordinate with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in their drive. Even if the PNP is allowed under the law to use the sirens, Verzosa ordered policemen who are escorting VIPs not to use the sirens and not to go into counter-flow if they are caught in traffic.

Under the Republic Act 4136 and Presidential Decree 96, which define how the emergency devices should be used, the responsibility of enforcing this rests primarily on the LTO.

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, in his inaugural speech, had ordered to put a stop on the illegal use of sirens.

Under the law, only hospital ambulances and vehicles of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office and Bureau of Fire Protection are allowed to these gadgets.

For elected officials, the only ones who have such privilege are the president, vice president, senate president, house speaker and chief justice.

But President Aquino, although allowed to use sirens, has avoided using these since he assumed office.  – THE FREEMAN