Police escort service?

It is really unbelievable how some people think and rationalize. Take the case of PO3 Rommel Macaspac. He was caught on video apparently transacting with a truck driver, offering his "services" as an escort so the truck could travel the length of Roxas Boulevard, something that is actually forbidden. After an agreed fee, the supposedly off-duty policeman then escorts the truck. MMDA traffic enforcers just look the other way, because according to Macaspac, he shares part of the fee with them. When he was confronted by media, he defends his actions by saying he was indeed off-duty and not in uniform. And yet, he was using his credentials as a police officer to perform the escort service.

What is more unbelievable is his immediate superior defending his actions. According to Chief Inspector Genardo Peruda of the Pasay Traffic Enforcement Unit, he likened a police officer who tends to his sari-sari store after his shift, which is perfectly acceptable. Agreed. But he was actually equating a legitimate business venture to a traffic violation. Just because the truck has a police escort, albeit from one off-duty and not in uniform, does that make it okay?

So all other traffic violations such as counter flowing, entering a one-way street, unauthorized parking, reckless driving, beating the red light, and countless others are okay, as long as you have a paid police "escort"?

It is a good thing the report that aired on TV Patrol was seen by Pasay Chief Senior Superintendent Joel Doria, who immediately relieved both Macaspac and Peruda. Their sidearms, PNP ID and badges were confiscated. He totally did not agree with the rationale of Peruda. What would prevent an off-duty policeman from "escorting" other supposedly illegal actions like robbery, murder, kidnapping, rape, and extortion? How did these men become police officers with that kind of thinking?

And to top-it all out, Macaspac has a pending case of robbery from 2007. Why is he still in service? Are cases against erring policemen just thrown at the bottom of the pile until forgotten?

Investigations are now underway to determine if there are other policemen involved in the "escort" service. The MMDA will also look into the possible connivance of its traffic enforcers. Roxas Boulevard is never without traffic enforcers, so for them to ignore a truck plying the road when it is supposed to be illegal is highly irregular.

We see police officers escorting a funeral convoy and even a bridal car. Even these are frowned upon by some sectors. But this Macaspac takes the cake. I also wonder why his actions were only noticed recently. This makes me think that there are others doing the same service. And why has not the local government looked into this? Surely seeing trucks plying Roxas Boulevard would raise some eyebrows.