PNP: Stop illegal ‘wangwang’ vehicles

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, instructed his men to go after the vehicles of politicians and other individuals illegally using with sirens, also referred to in the vernacular as “wangwang,” blinkers and LED lights, describing the practice as a symbol of abuse.

“They are not authorized to use these. Those politicians using blinkers and others, you should arrest them,” dela Rosa told members of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG).

“Also, I would like to ask politicians not to use these things anymore because these are illegal,” he added.

Yesterday, nearly 5,000 blinkers, sirens, mufflers and LED (light-emitting diode) seized by the HPG were destroyed at the PNP general headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

HPG director Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal said the move is aimed at sending a message to the public not to use the items as it would violate Presidential Decree 96.

The law states that only police vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances are allowed to use sirens and blinkers.

Dela Rosa’s instruction to run after politicians and other highprofile personalities violating traffic rules came after a police officer was shot dead in Ligao City allegedly by a man identified with a politician in Albay.

Dela Rosa disclosed that the shooting stemmed from an earlier incident wherein the police officer flagged down a vehicle owned by a local politician for traffic violation.

He did not expound on the case, saying the case is on-going.

In a related development, 400 road marshals were deputrized yesterday to be partners PNP in against street crimes, particularly those perpetrated by motorcycleriding suspects.