Soldiers who use EDSA bus lane will face ”administrative disciplinary actions”

July 3, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) warned soldiers who will be caught driving in the bus lanes of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) will “be subjected to administrative disciplinary actions”.

Capt. Jonathan Zata, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief, said AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr. issued on Thursday a directive to all commanders to avoid lanes in EDSA for public utility buses.

“Personnel who will be accosted, caught by traffic enforcers, or reported by concerned citizens for driving along the bus lanes in any part of EDSA must immediately be subjected to administrative disciplinary actions," the directive stated.

Zata said the directive was issued “to assist government authorities in speeding up travel time and appropriately manage vehicle traffic in the avenue that provides access to six cities in the National Capital Region.”

“The memo directive issued by the Chief of Staff is to ensure that military personnel abide by and support efforts by our national agencies, in this case, the MMDA( Metro Manila Development Authority) in initiating actions that will alleviate the traffic condition in Metro Manila more specifically the entire stretch of EDSA,” he said.

Zata said Santos asked soldiers to "treasure the trust of Filipinos" and emphasized the importance of discipline in the military profession.

"The outstanding support that we are receiving from the people does not excuse our wrong behaviors, nor does our rank give us authority to violate laws and policies," Santos said. Robina Asido/DMS