Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez defended his decision to relieve a Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) official, stressing that the move was meant to reinforce proper policy implementation and compassion in law enforcement.
In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Lopez said he immediately summoned Rayson De La Torre after receiving a report that an ambulance carrying a patient had been flagged down and ticketed.
Lopez explained that the Department of Transportation’s policy is clear when it comes to ambulances.
“Malinaw po ang polisiya na nakalagay on-duty ambulance. At that time, malinaw na yung ambulansya is on-duty, may pasyente,” he said.
“Hinayaan na lang sana nila. At parati ko pong pinapaalala sa kanila na ang mga ganitong polisiya, ang bottom line nito is malasakit, compassion at pag-uunawa sa mga ganitong sitwasyon.”
He emphasized that even ambulances responding to pick up a patient are considered on duty, as long as they are legitimate and have proper documentation such as trip tickets.
According to Lopez, he asked De La Torre whether he fully understood the meaning of “on-duty ambulance” under the policy. The secretary noted that the official admitted there may have been confusion in interpretation.
“Isa sa kautusan natin, there must be a reorientation po sa ating mga enforcers,” Lopez said.
“As long as it's a valid ambulance po, legal na ambulansya at on-duty sila, wala namang po dapat dahilan para tiketan sila at huwag silang payagang gamitin ang ating bus lane.”
Lopez clarified that De La Torre was not dismissed from service but was placed under relief pending investigation and required to submit a written explanation in affidavit form, supported by evidence.
While acknowledging that some individuals have abused bus lane privileges by falsely posing as ambulances, Lopez said enforcement actions must be balanced with compassion.
“I'm not saying that the delay was the approximate cost. Pero yung mga kailangan namang iwasan, at sana yun nga po ay malasakit, pagkakaintindi, pag-unawa sa kalagayan ng mga tao.”
