Wang-wang campaign nets 50

MANILA, Philippines - Following the crackdown against indiscriminate use of sirens and blinkers, authorities seized yesterday some 50 illegal sirens and similar devices from various motorists, including lawmakers.

Most of the devices were seized from vehicles that belonged to politicians and their families, according to Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Alberto Suansing.

Suansing said the crackdown was done nationwide.

“Most of those apprehended were SUVs (sports utility vehicles),” he said. Although he did not mention names, he cited a former lawmaker in Quezon City.

Suansing did not name the lawmaker but GMA-7 reported a siren and a blinker were seized from the SUV belonging to former Quezon City representative Mary Ann Susano.

The report also quoted the driver of the vehicle claiming that he was on his way to have the device dismantled from the vehicle when it was accosted.

Suansing also cited the report made by LTO Region 12 that a local politician even tried to prevent lawmen from dismantling the siren from his vehicle.

Suansing said a large number of cases of illegal use of sirens and blinkers came from Metro Manila.

The police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) reported that they flagged down a total of 190 vehicles for using illegal sirens and blinkers.

HPG spokesman Superintendent Edwin Batacan said the campaign started in January, even before the presidential directive was given.

Batacan though admitted President Aquino’s crusade against indiscriminate use of sirens and blinkers made the campaign more popular and effective than before.

Batacan said they have been tasked to assist the LTO in the campaign against illegal sirens.

He said law enforcers are finding it difficult to apprehend vehicles used by politicians, including those used by their security escorts.

“We will have to approach it diplomatically,” Batacan said.

On his first day in office, the President set the example of obeying traffic rules on his way to Malacañang.

Mr. Aquino even ordered the Presidential Security Group (PSG) escorting him not to use sirens.

Even before his formal inauguration last Wednesday, Mr. Aquino gave specific instructions to his driver to stop at every red traffic light.

Hours later, Mr. Aquino delivered a speech before thousands who witnessed his inauguration at the Quirino Grandstand – highlighted by his campaign against indiscriminate use of sirens and blinkers.

Taking the cue from the President, several lawmakers took the initiative to pull the sirens and blinkers from their vehicles.

“If the President submits to non-use of wang-wang (sirens) and other special privileges in traffic situations, who are we to go beyond it? We are lawmakers and not lawbreakers,” Marikina City Rep. Marcelino Teodoro said.

Teodoro also lamented the illegal use of the “8” protocol plates by some politicians.

He said it may be better if the government strengthens the law enforcement agencies that implement the law against the illegal use of special plates and sirens.

Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said all members of the House of Representatives should follow the President’s example.

“I have never used the wang-wang! Also, the number 8 plate should be used judiciously. My personal car in Davao City does not have an 8 plate while my Manila vehicle uses that plate only on official trips,” she said.

Ilagan stressed the use of sirens should be allowed only during emergencies. – With Mike Frialde, Paolo Romero