7 motorists nabbed for using wang-wang

MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested seven motorists for using blinkers and sirens or “wang-wang” in Metro Manila, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) reported yesterday.

HPG director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil admonished drivers who are using the emergency devices to evade traffic regulations.

“Mga tao talaga minsan umaabuso eh. Alam nila matrapik, gusto nila mauna kaya gumagamit sila ng blinker,” Marbil sad in an interview on Teleradyo.

He said vehicles using sirens and blinkers also counter-flow, which disrupts the flow of traffic.

“Kapag nag-counter flow, hindi lang traffic, pati aksidente nangyayari diyan,” he said.

One of the violators was nabbed yesterday at the corner of Moriones street and R10 Road in Tondo, Manila.

Lt. Col. Joel Mendoza, who heads the HPG’s National Capital Region field unit, said six other drivers were arrested on Wednesday along EDSA.

The motorists were issued traffic citation tickets. Police also confiscated the blinkers mounted on their vehicles.

The use of emergency devices is exclusive to motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office, Bureau of Fire Protection,  Philippine National Police and ambulances.

Police intensified its crackdown on the use of wang-wang in response to complaints from senators.