Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Eric Ines ordered the immediate suspension of two Airport Police Department (APD) officers after they were caught traversing the EDSA Carousel bus lane on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 21.
The MIAA identified the erring officers as APO1 Michael Lilis and APO2 Raymond Anuran, who claimed they were on official mission. But Ines did not buy their excuse and called for an end to such abuse. He ordered them relieved from their assignment pending an official investigation.
According to reports, a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel stopped the APD officers in question, who then refused to cooperate leading to a scuffle.
Ines already instructed MIAA Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services Manuel Gonzales to handle the investigation.
Based on the guidelines released by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in November last year, airport automobiles are excluded in the list of vehicles authorized to pass through the EDSA Carousel bus lane.
The busway was intended for the exclusive use of EDSA Carousel passenger buses, including those with special permits, on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, service vehicles performing duties within the lane, and Philippine National Police (PNP) vehicles.
Also allowed to pass through the EDSA bus lane are vehicles carrying the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Supreme Court Chief Justice.